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.
Unresponsal(l, Wnresponsal, adj. [17th c. Eng. unresponsal (a1670); Responsall adj.] a. ? Unable or unwilling to be subject to the law. Cf. Responsall adj. 6. b. Unable to pay a debt, etc.; insolvent. = Irresponsal(l adj. —a. 1579 Reg. Privy C. III 231.
He suspectis ane Williame Forbes … a brokin and unresponsall man, sould be ane of the saidis authoris 16… Acts V (1817) 22 (Jam.).
Committed by lawless and wnresponsall men —b. 1579 Acts III 145/2.
Incais the committar of the wrang be vnresponsall he sall for the first falt be put in the stokkis [etc.] 1634 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. I 353.
The said bailie was of equal power with him, and is now become bankrupt … and, if his colleague be unresponsal, the other bailie, pursued, may seek his relief off the town, for choosing an unresponsal bailie
