A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Unwittandly, -lie, adv. Also: -uittandly, -witynly, wnwittan(d)lie. [ME and e.m.E. vnwytyngli (Wyclif), vnwitandly (Cursor M., c1400), unwittyngly (Caxton); Wittan(d)ly adv.] a. Foolishly, unwisely. b. Unsuspectingly; without realising. c. By chance, inadvertently.a. 1375 Barb. xvi 248 (C).
The gude king said … it wes in his awn foly For he raid sa vnvittandly [E. wnwittely] So fer befor ?1438 Alex. ii 5636.
Gif outtrage hes me ourtane And I vnwittandly hes gane [F. et j'ai dit foleté]b. 1375 Barb. vi 523 (C).
The kyng that na supposing had [That] thai war mair than he saw thair … vroucht vnvittandly [E. wnwittily] a1400 Leg. S. xxix 121.
I am Crist … To quham vnwitynly ay Thou has enplesit a1538 Abell 12a.
The sam lordis sone quyetlie the king gart slaye and gart his fathir eit of his flesche wnwittanlie 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6084.
Quhy hes thow causit thy wife vnwillinglie Cum in my bed to me vnwittandlie 1576 Orkney Oppress. 67.
Quhilk lamb the servand unwittandlie markit upon his masteris merkc. 1535 Stewart 46903.
Rycht oft it is sene that efter ouir greit jo, Wnwittandlie thair followis als greit wo
