Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1830-1836, 1894-1935
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UNCTION, n.2, v. Also uncshon- (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.), uncshin (Ags. 1857 A. Douglas Hist. Ferryden 65), ungshin (Rxb. 1954 Hawick News (18 June) 7), untion- (Rnf. 1830 Miscellany S.H.S. VIII. 158); aunction. Sc. forms and n. usages of Eng. auction (Ayr. 1818 Kilmarnock Mirror 69; Ags. 1853 W. Blair Aberbrothock 30; m.Lth. 1894 P. H. Hunter J. Inwick 158; Sh. 1899 Shetland News (19 Aug.); Per., Fif., Lth., Ayr. 1915–26 Wilson; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1942 Zai). Gen.Sc. Deriv. unctioneer (Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xlvi.; Dmf. 1921 J. L. Waugh Heroes 16; s.Sc. 1947 L. Derwent Clashmaclaver 91), †unctioner. Gen.Sc. Combs. unction body, an auctioneer; unction mairt, a hall where auctions, esp. of live-stock, are held. See Mart, n.1 [′ʌŋ ʃən]Rnf. 1830 Miscellany S.H.S. VIII. 158:
To pay the nec[es]sary stamps and unctioners fees which is one shilling for each cow and quay.wm.Sc. 1836 Scottish Annual 196:
He saw the same individual selling books by aunction in a grand shop in Hanover Street.Ags. 1894 J. B. Salmond My Man Sandy (1899) viii.:
A gude-gaen public-hoose puttin' up for unction.Ayr. 1896 H. Johnston Dr Congalton xxi.:
Such language was ill-fitted for the occasion of her daughter's marriage, being more descriptive of an “unction mairt”.wm.Sc. 1903 S. Macplowter Mrs. McCraw 64:
The flooered sulk she bocht at the unction.Kcb. 1911 G. M. Gordon Auld Clay Biggin' 20:
He attended neither kirk nor unction mairt.Arg. 1914 J. M. Hay Gillespie i. vii.:
A roup means laawers an' unctioneers.Sc. 1933 Scots Mag. (April) 73:
That'll learn thon unction body to tell lees!Sc. 1935 D. Rorie Lum Hat 58:
She canna be unctioned alang wi' the coo.
