[f. as prec.] The quality or condition of being uncouth, in various senses.
1435. Misyn, Fire of Love, 2. For vncuthnes of slike helefull habundance oft-tymes haue I gropyd my breste.
1442. Rec. Coldingham Priory (Surtees), I. 138. The unkouthness at is lyke to ryss be[tween] Sr Alexr Howme & Sr David Howme.
1600. Gowrie’s Conspir., in Select. fr. Harl. Misc. (1793), 192. His hienes beeing stricken in great admiration … of the vncouthnes of the tale.
1628. World Encomp. by Sir F. Drake, 13. Notwithstanding the vncouthnes of the way.
1654–66. Earl Orrery, Parthen. (1676), 267. My Prince, by the uncouthness of the ground, advanced slowly with his Battalion.
1672. Marvell, Reh. Transp., I. 220. A peculiar uncouthness and obscurity of stile.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 514, ¶ 4. Some in the Habit of Laplanders,… notwithstanding the Uncouthness of their Dress, had lately obtained a Place upon the Mountain.
1778. [W. H. Marshall], Minutes Agric., Digest, 47. The uncouthness of the Yoke and Goad.
1815. Jane Austen, Emma, iv. The uncouthness of a voice, which I heard to be wholly unmodulated.
1871. Freeman, Norm. Conq., IV. xviii. 154. The building whose combined uncouthness of outline and perfection of detail makes it unique among English churches.
