Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
ONLESS, conj. Also oonless (Abd. 1929 J. Alexander Mains and Hilly 5). Sc. (now only n.) forms of Eng. unless. Cf. Aless and On-, pref.2Mry. 1873 J. Brown Round Table Club 214:
That fae the Cairngorms is naething till't, oonless ye waur tae traivel roon' the taps o' them.Rnf. 1876 D. Gilmour Paisley Weavers 37:
Sinners maun a' hae a gude opinion o' theirsels afore ye'll admit them, onless they can haun in a gowpen o' siller.s.Sc. 1897 E. Hamilton Outlaws iii.:
There's nae man in Liddesdale can sickerly lead a party at night . . . onless Will Elliot.Abd. 1929 Abd. Univ. Rev. (March) 128:
A dinna eyven ken fa Jock A'den wiz, onless ye mean Aul' Thrummie 'imsel.
