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.
UNSUFFICIENT, adj. Also unsifficient (Bte. 1728 Rothesay T.C. Records (1935) II. 717). Sc. usage, of a building: weak, unsound, insecure, lacking strength or solidity. See Sufficient. The form unsufficient became obs. in Eng. in the 17th c. Hence unsufficiency, n.Sc. 1717 Burgh Rec. Gsw. (1908) 618:
The roofe is unsuficient for want of thack.Sth. 1730 C. D. Bentinck Dornoch (1926) 271:
To pull down the old Town Tolbooth and Council House, finding the samen unsufficient and not capable of Reparation.Cai. 1760 D. Grant Old Thurso (1966) 3:
A place of confinement very unfitt, not only from unsufficiency but dangerous otherwise.
