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: 1513-1700+
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Unsur(e, -suir(e, adj. Also: onsure, -suyr. [Late ME and e.m.E. vnsure (c1400), onsure (Hoccleve), unsuyr (Lydgate); Sure adj.]
1. Not conducive to safety; dangerous, hazardous.(a) 1588 Reg. Privy C. IV 299.
Throw the multitude of deidlie feidis and unsure passage [the complainants dare not pass] for feir of thair lyveis(b) 1513 Doug. iii vi 133.
Scilla … spredand hyr mouth feil syis To sowk the schippys amang rowkis onsure [Sm., Ruddim. vnsure]
2. Not proof against hurt or intrusion; insecure, vulnerable.(a) 1619 Haddington Corr. 222.
Where he fand the houses oppen and vnsure he left sure watches in them(b) 1513 Doug. ix iii 45.
Enee in dedly corps onsure [Sm. onsuyr, Ruddim. vnsure]
3. Marked by, or productive of, doubt or uncertainty; not certainly known or understood.1567 Gude and Godlie Ballatis 123.
The hid things of Thy godly word, That war vnsure to me 1580 Edinburgh Testaments VIII 284.
Sen na thing is surer nor deith nor vnsurar nor the hour of deth 1593 St. A. Test. II 382.
Nathing … mair sure … nor the death and na thing to be vnsurer nor incertane than the day & hour thairof
b. Not clarified; unresolved.1659-60 A. Hay Diary 177.
Found severall things unsure in the overtures that came from Fiffe, especially the last article
4. Not sure to succeed; uncertain, precarious.1535 Stewart 10437.
Thai thocht sic thing wes rycht vnsuir, All on ane da to put in aventure 1582 Declar. Causis 18.
To ding continually in his earis … to think his regnne unsure wantand his moderis bennisoun c1600 Poem (verso T. Pont).
Extreames I compt it most vnsuire: The modest meanes is best of all 1623 Craig iv 31/35.
Tell physicke-mongers, drogs are growne vnsure; And manie doctors rather kill than cure 1637 Glasg. Univ. Mun. I 269.
Consider the unsuretie of the moneyes lent furth upon annuell rent, how unsure a ground that is to establish a constant rent a1714 Cromartie Corr. II 503.
He found nothing foundit on so vnsur establishment as the lands of Lochels and Lochcaron
5. Unreliable, undependable.1567 Satirical Poems iv 173.
Quha may sustene the perillous auentuire Off fals fortowne, inconstant and vnsuire? 1685-8 Renwick Serm. 496.
A real friend … is a very rare thing … and when ye have found him, O! how unconstant and unsure is he to lippen to!
6. Not assured or confident (of something).1679 Wodrow Hist. II (1722) App. 18.
Not finding it fit to unhinge himself of the one party, while he was yet unsure of the other
