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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.

UMQUHILE, adv., adj. Also -umquhyle, umquhill(e), umwhile. [′ʌmʍəil]

I. adv. Formerly. Obs. or arch.Sc. 1815 Scott Guy M. lv.:
That is Henry Bertram, son of Godfrey Bertram, umquhile of Ellangowan.wm.Sc. 1854 Laird of Logan 298:
Peter Pirnie, Esq., late manufacturer. umquhyle a bailie.Ayr. 1890 J. Service Notandums 88:
Ye'll ken her by her dark e'ebree, Her white cheek, umquhile red.

II. adj. Former, late, erstwhile; deceased, esp. in legal terminology (Sc. 1880 Jam.), when the art. is freq. omitted. Now liter. or arch.Sc. 1714–1721 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. 17, 188:
Of umquhile John to lie or baun . . . The Harn-pan of an umquhile Mare.Ork. 1734 P. Ork. A.S. (1923) 65:
Jean Manson, relict of umquhill James Fea of Whitehall.Sc. 1784 Nairne Peerage Evidence (1874) 72:
7 The goods and gear which pertained and belonged to umquhile miss Brabazone Nairne.Sc. 1815 Scott Guy M. iii.:
Sir Isaac Newton Knight, and umwhile master of his Majesty's Mint.Ayr. 1822 H. Ainslie Pilgrimage 189:
A little below the umquhile clachan, as the Jingler had it.ne.Sc. 1836 J. Grant Tales of Glens 176:
“There's a wee trifle o' siller owre here”, continued the umquhile spoon maker.Kcb. 1895 Crockett Moss-Hags lii.:
William Gordon, son of umquhile William Gordon of Earlstoun.Arg. 1912 N. Munro Ayrshire Idylls (1935) 274:
Their umquhile shepherd for a moment made no answer.