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.
Unstedfastnes, -steidfastnes, n. [ME and e.m.E. vnstedfastnes (Cursor M.), onstedfast-nesse (Chaucer), vnsteadfastnes (a1500); Stedfastnes(e n.] Inconstancy; changeableness. Also personified. —15.. Dunb. App. vii 19.
Sen in this warld thare is no sekernes … I tak my leve at all vnstedfastnes c1520-c1535 Nisbet 2 Cor. i 17.
Bot quhen I wald this thing, quhethir gif I vsit vnstedfastnes [W. liȝtnesse; L. levitate] c1520-c1535 Nisbet III 351.
He repreiffit the vnsteidfastnes of the Gallathians, schawing [the] vnperfitnes of the law —personified a1500 K. Hart 899.
The fayr dame Plesance … My prowde palfray Vnsteidfastnes I leif With Fikkilnes hir sadill set on syde
