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.
Quotation dates: 1583-1689
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Unschapin, ppl. adj. Also: unschappin, -shappen, -chappin, -schaipin, wnshappen. [ME and e.m.E. vnschapin (Cursor M.), vnshapen (c1350); Schapen ppl. adj.]
1. Of material, garments, etc.: Not cut or formed to a definite shape. 1583 Edinburgh Testaments XII 248b.
Ten stane wecht of vnschapin rag weikis price of the stane viij s. 1584 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 367.
[Tailors] nocht beand friemen … daylie cumis … and takis furth wark, schaipin and vnschaipin … and wirkis the samyn in thair awin fredomis 1597 Edinburgh Testaments XXXI 176b.
Scho lewis to … hir vther dochter hir vnschappin gowne 1627 Edinburgh Testaments LIV 30b.
Aucht scoir elnis of unchappin cowrs linning 1664 Inventory 11 in Decr. Dalr. XI.
Certane linnen cloath, wnshappen harnwobs, linnen & harne yearn 1689 Haigs of Bemersyde 479.
Fyve pair of scheitis schapin and vnschapin
2. Of a person: Misshapen, malformed. = Wanschapen ppl. adj. 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 39.
A gallant, personable woman … and of parents wheirof the father is a wery unshappen man
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"Unschapin ppl. adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/unschapin>
