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.
Unsemand, ppl. adj. Also: wn-, onsemand, unsemyng, -seeming. [ME and e.m.E. unsemand (Rolle), vnsemyng (c1400); Semand ppl. adj.] Unfitting, unseemly, inappropriate. Also const. indirect object, and with to. = Unbeseming ppl. adj., Unsem(e)ly adj.(1) 1456 Hay I 217/15.
Than war it … unsemand that this maist Cristin realme war … subject to the empire that lytill gude … has done to the … Cristyn faith 1456 Hay II 16/31.
Sa is it unsemand that lordis sonis … suld sett thame to lere the documentis and proprieteis of the ordre of knychthede a1500 Rauf C. 146.
Gang begin the buird … That war vnsemand … and thy self vnset 1531 Bell. Boece II 272.
Na thing semis mair ane prince than constance verite and justice, and nathing sa unsemand as falset, treason, and lesingis 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I 217.
The nobillis, havand displesouris of thir vnsemand maneris in thair prince, thocht [him] … nocht wourthy to be thair souerane 1533 Boece 453b.
Makdowald … reprocheing the king with vnsemyng wordis 1535 Stewart 47259.
Wnsemand a1578 Pitsc. (1728) 40.
It is very unseeming to do any such things as are not consonant to the lawes of this realm(b) 1535 Stewart 58026.
To do him self so mekill schame and lak … Onsemand wes(2) 1531 Bell. Boece I 64.
Inhumane cruelteis, unsemand to ane prince 1533 Boece 85a.
Quhen thir crymez and innowmerabill vthiris vnsemyng ane prince war divulgate