Un*couth" (?), a. [OE. uncouth, AS. unc unknown, strange: un- (see Un- not) + c 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 rish. 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. Shak.

Thus sang the uncouth swain. Milton.

Syn. -- See Awkward.

-- Un*couth"ly, adv. -- Un*couth"ness, n.

 

© Webster 1913.

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