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: 1400, 1488-1599
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Undoutabill, adj. (adv.). Also: undoutable, undouttabill, -able, undowtabill, -able, wndoutable, -abile, wndowtable, -dutabill, ondowtabil, onedowtable. [Late ME and e.m.E. vndoutabil (c1425), vndowtable (c1440), undoubtable (1529); Doutable adj.]
1. adj. Indubitable; certain, sure.c1400 Troy-bk. ii 191 (C).
Wndoutabile [D. wndoutable] It is … That Kyng Ylyus … Statut in-to the honoure Of Pallas [a] tempile c1490 Irland Asl. MS 3/5.
To cum to the haly and vndoutable remeid aganis syn
2. Undoubted, undisputed.(a) 1488–9 Acts Lords of Council I 103/1.
James duc of Ros … is vndoutable patroune of the samyn 1493 Acts Lords of Council I 305/2.
The said George … allegeand him vndouttable lard of the sad landis 1493 Lennox Mun. 146.
Our veray lauchfull and vndowtabill … factouris, erand beraris [etc.] 1494 Loutfut MS 111a.
I ȝour liegis man … presentis me here … befor ȝow as my rychtwis ande wndoutable juge c1515 Asloan MS I 190/20.
Wndowtable 1497–8 Newbattle Coll. (Somerville) (Reg. H.).
I mak … the said Jhone Somerwyll & hys airis myn weray lauchfull & vndowtable assyngnais of the foresaidis myle & croft 1501 Acts Lords of Council II 486.
Thomas Tulloch … undowtable spouse, as he allegit, til Jonet Tulloch 1577 Edinburgh Testaments V 332.
Alexander Mortoun … makis … his spous … and … his sone … his verray trew & vndoutabill executouris(b) 1521 Maxwell Mem. I 245.
George Maxwel … our veray lauchful and onedowtable cessionar and assignay
3. Not to be doubted; reliable, trustworthy.a1538 Abell 121a.
Sche had neuir carnall daill of his brodir. Bot thocht sche had, the dispensatioun wes werra & wndutabill 15.. Clariodus v 1094.
Scho avowit … Unto the powne that set was on the tabill, This King is suithfast and undouttabill
4. Redoubtable, formidable.1513 Doug. i vi 62 (Sm.).
The marchis of Libie … Inhabeit with peple vndowtable [C. ondantabill, Ruddim. undantabill, Ruthv. vndoutable; L. genus intractabile bello] in battail
5. adv. Undoubtedly, indisputably.(a) 1498–9 Acts Lords of Council II 293.
The Lordis understandis that … this wod and forest is the Kingis undoutable 1516 Acts II 283/2.
Alexander Stewart … is & vndoutable suld be reput borne bastard and vnlegittimate be ony mariage(b) 1513 Doug. vi v 56.
Anchises get … Discend ondowtabill [Sm. vndowtable, Ruddim. vndoutable] of the goddis blude [L. deum certissima proles]