unˈbowsome, a. Obs. exc. dial.
[un-1 7. Cf. NFris. ünbügsom, MDu. onboochsam, Du. onbuigzaam, G. unbeugsam.]
1. = unbuxom a. 1.
| c 1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 266/185 Ake þat ich onbouȝsum ne beo i-seie..I-chulle bidde for þe, mi leoue fader. 1340 Ayenb. 21 Þou hest y-by onboȝsam to þine uader and to þine moder. c 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 8596 Grysely devels salle gang and com On þe synfulle þat tylle God war unbowsom. 1818 Hogg Brownie of B. i, Ye hae a dour, stiff, unbowsom kind o' nature in ye. |
2. dial. Unbending, stiff.
| 1818 Hogg Wool-gatherer Tales (1866) 80/2 It makes..but an unbowsome overleather. 1894 Heslop Northumbld. Gloss. 755 He's..ungainly an' unbowsome. |
Hence unˈbowsomeness.
| 1340 Ayenb. 33 Þe uerste [point] is onboȝsamnesse, huanne þe man nele do þet me him zayþ ine penonce. c 1400 Cursor M. 27616 (Cott. Galba), Of pride cumes als vnbowsumnes. c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 3377 Þai wer glad and somwhat shamed,..Þaim shamed of þair vnbowsomnes. |