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.
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.
