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Webster 1913 Edition


Uncouth

Un-couth′

(ŭn-koōth′)
,
Adj.
[OE.
uncouth
, AS.
uncūð
unknown, strange:
un-
(see
Un-
not) +
cūð
known, p. p. of
cunnan
to know. See
Can
to be able, and cf.
Unco
,
Unked
.]
1.
Unknown.
[Obs.]
“This uncouth errand.”
Milton.
To leave the good that I had in hand,
In hope of better that was
uncouth
.
Spenser.
2.
Uncommon; rare; exquisite; elegant.
[Obs.]
Harness . . . so
uncouth
and so rich.
Chaucer.
3.
Unfamiliar; strange; hence, mysterious; dreadful; also, odd; awkward; boorish;
as,
uncouth
manners
.
Uncouth in guise and gesture.”
I. Taylor.
I am surprised with an
uncouth
fear.
Shakespeare
Thus sang the
uncouth
swain.
Milton.
Syn. – See
Awkward
.
Un-couth′ly
,
adv.
Un-couth′ness
,
Noun.

Webster 1828 Edition


Uncouth

UNCOUTH

,
Adj.
Odd; strange; unusual; not rendered pleasing by familiarity; as an uncouth phrase or expression; uncouth manners; uncouth dress.

Definition 2024


uncouth

uncouth

English

Adjective

uncouth (comparative uncouther or more uncouth, superlative uncouthest or most uncouth)

  1. (archaic) Unfamiliar, strange, foreign.
    • 1819: Washington Irving, The Sketch Book (The Voyage)
      There was a delicious sensation of mingled security and awe with which I looked down, from my giddy height, on the monsters of the deep at their uncouth gambols.
  2. Clumsy, awkward.
  3. Unrefined, crude.
    • 1699, Samuel Garth, The Dispensary, Canto IV, line 204:
      Harsh words, though pertinent, uncouth appear:
      None please the fancy, who offend the ear.

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