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.
Quotation dates: 1788-1793, 1875
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UNHANTY, adj. Also unhaunty, unha(u)ndy. [ʌn′hɑnti]
1. Inconvenient (Lth. 1825 Jam.). See Hanty, adj., 1.
2. Clumsy in figure, movement or action; unwieldy, overlarge, fat. Also used adv. to a great or excessive degree. Cf. nae handy s.v. Handy, I. 4. Comb. unhandy-looking.Rnf. 1788 E. Picken Poems 248:
A very fat person is called unhaunty.Rnf. 1790 A. Wilson Poems 201:
The hirpling pining gout Swall't baith his legs unhaunty.Gsw. 1793 R. Gray Poems 29:
Raws of girls ruddy, Wha whangs of bread and cheese did draw, Frae pouches cram'd unhanty.Slk. 1875 Border Treasury (15 May) 475:
He was a muckle unhandy-lookin chap.