A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Unperfit(e, -fyt(e, -fect, adj. Also: wnperfyt, onperfyit(e. [ME and e.m.E. vnperfyt (Rolle), unperfit (Wyclif), vnperfecte (Trevisa); Perfit(e adj., Perfect adj. Cf. Imperfite adj., Imperfect adj.]
1. Of non-material things or qualities: Imperfect; incomplete; defective. Also absol. = Imperfite adj. 1.(a) a1500 Henr. Fab. 1645.
And mannis saull is febill and ouer small Off vnderstanding waik and vnperfite [Bann. vnperfyse, Ch., H. imperfite] c1520-c1535 Nisbet III 356.
The office of Christ is far mair excellent than the preistes office of [the] law, quhilk was vnperfite and thairfor abrogate a1568 Scott xxxiv 15.
Quhat is ȝour lufe bot lust … Ane pastance vnperfyte 1692–3 Annandale Corr. 59.
I have some unperfect informatione that Stapleton is returned to this towne(b) a1570-86 Maitland in Maitl. F. 444/102.
Eirthelie joy can nocht remane And quhair it is its onperfyitabsol. a1585 Maitl. Q. 113/38.
Nature hes ordanit wyislie That in all kynde of thing Perfyite the vnperfyte supplie And to perfectioun bring
b. Not brought to fruition, not realised.c1420 Ratis R. 586.
Hop nocht to have atour resone Ane-vthir manis possessioune … Sik hop is wnperfyt failȝeand
c. Unperfite age, an age prior to that when maturity, legal competence or majority is attained (see Perfit(e adj. 1 a).1423 Acts II 236/1.
In our ȝoutheid and vnperfite age
2. Of material things or products: Flawed; not of the highest quality.1483 Acta Aud. 112*/1.
Perle perfit and vnperfit 1578 Inv. Wardrobe 215.
A lang pece of cammes, sewit with silk unperfite of the armes of Scotland 1579 Dickson & Edmond Ann. Sc. Printing 306.
Fyue Actis of Parliament, vnperfyt
b. Of a document: Imperfect in detail; imprecise, inexact; incomplete.1498 Acta Conc. II 241.
Because the summondis was unperfyte and apone the richt of the denery of Dunkeldin 1638 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 141.
These papers being unperfyte, and not having fully exped all that is to be answered to [etc.]
3. Of a person: Deficient in accomplishment or action; unskilful; ignorant. = Imperfite adj. 2.(a) c1475 Wall. iv 736.
Quhat at thai wrocht, I can nocht graithly say; Rycht wnperfyt I am of Venus play c1475 Wall. xi 1432.
All worthi men at redys this rurall dyt, Blaym nocht the buk set I be wnperfyt 1567 G. Ball. 72.
Ȝe sempill peple, vnperfyte … Of stock and staine hes mair delyte, Than in to God him sell(b) a1585 Arbuthnot in Maitl. Q. 90/68.
Sic rewleris onperfyite Sould haue the blame & beir the schame
4. In grammar, of verbal tense: Imperfect.16.. Rudiments 25a.
For the preter is thriefold vnperfyte, perfyte and more than perfyte
