wanchancy, a. Sc. (now literary).
(wɑnˈtʃansɪ)
Also -cie.
[f. prec. + -y. Cf. unchancy a.]
Unlucky, dangerous; also, eerie, uncanny.
| 1768 Ross Helenore etc. Rock & wee pickle Tow 60 A mutchkin of linseed I'd in the yerd fling, For a' the wan chansie [1789 wanchansy] beginning o't. a 1774 Fergusson Mutual Compl. 34 My travellers are fley'd to deid Wi' creels wanchancy, heap'd wi' bread, Frae whilk hing down uncanny nicksticks, That [etc.]. 1786 Burns Puir Mailie 38 Wae worth that man wha first did shape That vile, wanchancie thing—a raep! 1814 Scott Wav. lxiv, Some wanchancy person..fired a shot at him. 1827 ― Two Drovers ii, [A dirk] is a wanchancy weapon in a Highlandman's hand. 1893 Stevenson Catriona xv, The tither [boat] lay whaur it was and watched the wanchancy thing on the brae-side. |