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.
UNTIMEOUS, adj. Also untimous(e); o(o)ntimeous (Abd. 1875 G. MacDonald Malcolm ix., oon-). See Timeous, adj. [ʌn′təiməs]
1. Of time: unseasonably or inconveniently late or, less freq., early. Occas. of persons.Sc. 1705 R. Wodrow Analecta (M.C.) I. 67:
She told him she never knew him soe untimouse.Edb. 1711 Burgh Rec. Edb. (1967) 213:
At the untimeous hour of three aclock in the morning.Abd. 1765 Session Papers, Edwards v. Farquhar State of Process 46:
He desired them to go home, as it was untimeous hours.Ayr. 1822 Galt Provost xxxvi.:
It would be expedient for the future sale of her pyes and porter, at untimeous hours.wm.Sc. 1837 Laird of Logan 280:
It could be nae decent body that had to be huddled awa' at sic an untimeous time o' nicht.Ags. 1887 A. D. Willock Rosetty Ends 35:
[Cats'] concerts at ontimeous 'oors.Kcb. 1894 Crockett Raiders iii.:
It was this which had raised me at such untimeous hours.
2. Mistimed, inopportune, out of turn, improper or unusual for the time and occasion (Sc. 1825 Jam.). See Timeous, adj., 2.Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 343:
Untimous spurring spills the Steed.Sc. 1823 Scott Q. Durward xvi.:
To restrain his irreverent and untimeous jocularity.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin vi.:
Wonderin' at the untimeous steer aboot the hoose.
3. Premature, untimely, all too soon. Also adv. Adv. untimeously, prematurely.Peb. 1708 C. B. Gunn Ch. Traquair (1931) 70:
A man who had untimeous fellowship with her who became his wife later.Sc. 1821 Scott Kenilworth xv.:
It must be some perilous cause puts her Grace in motion thus untimeously.Sc. 1825 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) I. 71:
In my hauns it [a luncheon] becomes an untimeous denner.Edb. 1828 D. M. Moir Mansie Wauch xiii.:
I believe he came to some untimeous end.Ayr. 1834 Galt Stories of Study III. 15:
We wondered very much what had taken him to his bed so untimeously.Gsw. 1873 A. G. Murdoch Doric Lyre 15:
The gusty cock, Untimeously was heard.Abd. 1882 G. MacDonald Castle Warlock lii.:
His bonny bairn, the last o' his flock, oontimeous ta'en.Fif. 1883 W. D. Latto Bodkin Papers 74:
Her untimeous exit frae this weary warld.Kcb. 1902 Crockett Dark o' the Moon xxix.:
A bit anker or twa o' brandy that micht be seen if the door was opened untimeous-like.
