Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†UNBOWSOME, adj. Also unbousome. Stiff, not pliable, unable to bend or stoop (s.Sc. 1825 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); also fig. obstinate (Watson). See Bowsome, adj. [ʌn′bʌusəm]Slk. 1818 Hogg B. of Bodsbeck i.:
Ye hae a dour, stiff, unbowsome kind o' nature in ye.Slk. 1818 Hogg Tales (1874) 80:
When the sole of a shoe's turned uppermost, it maks aye but an unbowsome over-leather.Bwk. 1856 G. Henderson Pop. Rhymes 77:
So said Tam o' Crumstane, unbousome and baggie.
