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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

UPSITTEN, ppl.adj. Indifferent, lacking in zeal, lackadaisical.Sc. 1728 P. Walker Life of Peden iv., xxviii.:
Those who have fallen in contentedly with this backsliding and upsitten church. . . . These backslidden, upsitten, lukewarm Ministers, Elders and Professors.

[O.Sc. upsitten, id., 1682, sc. ‘sitting up (like an animal on its haunches), inactive, not moving forward'.]

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