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.
Unsene, -seyne, -seen, p.p. and ppl. adj. Also: wnsene, -seyn, onsene, -sein, -seyn. [ME and e.m.E. unsehen (a1200), unseiene (Ancr. R.), vnsene, vnseyne (both Cursor M.), unsein (Gower), OE unᵹesewen; Sene (ppl.) adj.]
A. p.p. 1. Not, or without being, seen; unperceived.(a) a1400 Leg. S. xl 1354.
Agane al fais thu helpe me, Sene or vnsene quethir thai be a1500 Henr. Robene & M. 104.
Thairin, Makyne, bath ȝe & I Vnsene we ma repair c1475 Wall. x 626.
Off the out watch thus chapyt thai wnseyn c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 5/39.
Haile, schene, unseyne with carnale eyne(b) 1513 Doug. v xi 19.
Sone slaid sche doun, onseyn [Sm. wnsene, Ruddim. vnsene] of ony wy c1552 Lynd. Mon. 3323.
Quhare he mycht se the kyngis grace, And be onsene with ony wycht c1650 Spalding I 158.
Thay go in the nicht quyetlie, on sein be the Castileans
2. a. Of writings: Uninspected. b. Unsene to, not looked after, neglected.a. 1574 Reg. Privy C. II 387.
Quhat harme … it may breid gif all personis at thair plesoure sall imprent and divulgat materis unsene and visitit gif thai be godlie and tollerable [marg. That na thing be imprentit quhill it be sene and allowit]b. 1482 Perth Guildry 104 (Feb.).
The said Dauid has left the said Williamis gudis vnhousit sene to or sald
3. Of a thing: To (have) been unseen (by someone), to have missed seeing (the thing).c1625 Fam. Innes 211.
The Lord knowes I liw farr better … at hom bot yet I wold not been vnseen the fashions hear whilk will learn me till use thrifft at hom
4. Unskilled, inexpert (in a trade).1683 Dundee B. Laws 554.
John Duncan, … ane unfree man, and a persone most ignorant and vnseen in the said airt and calling … most impudentlie professes and exercises the said litster trade
B. ppl. adj. That cannot be clearly seen or perceived. Only fig.a1578 Pitsc. II 70/22.
That thay sould leave the onsein way and follow that way quhich was teached be our maister and sawiour Chryst Jesus
