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: 1490-1590
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Wanhap, Vanhap, n. [Wan- prefix and Hap n.1 Cf. Unhap n.] Bad luck, misfortune. c1490 Porteous Noblenes 183/28 (A).
Perseuerance … Thou ourcummis wanhap that passis fortoun & in all placis scho giffis to thé victory 1513 Doug. v iv 89.
Scho … on the sharp skelleis, to hir wanhap Smait with syc fard the ayrs in flendris lap 1549 Complaynte of Scotland 72/6.
O quhat vanhap, quhat dyabolic temptatione, quhat misire 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 810.
Fortoun has bene to ȝow sa hard, That all sic thing to greit wanhap will turne 1571 J. Maitland in Satirical Poems xxvii 102.
Gif thatt itt be in bondage brocht be thé, Then warreitt war thy weirdis and wanhap c1590 Fowler I 283/32.
Dois man vpon your influence his hap or wanhap proue?
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"Wanhap n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/wanhap>
