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.