Obs. Forms: (see CUNNING sb.). [UN-1 12.] Lack of knowledge; ignorance.
Common in 14–15th c.
c. 1290. Beket, 1028, in S. Eng. Leg., I. 136. For euere ich dradde for oncunninge mi soule forto spille.
1338. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 256. I wite þis no man, Bot myn vnconyng, þis folie my self bigan.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., II. 394. Þerfore trewe men in Crist shulden be wel paied of þis uncunnyng.
c. 1412. Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 325. Myn vnkonyng of þat me schal excuse, Of whiche matere knowleche haue I non.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., II. iv. 156. At whiche men mowe lawȝe and take bourde for her symplenes or her vnkunnyng as of folis.
a. 1470. H. Parker, Dives & Pauper (W. de W., 1496), I. lvii. 99/1. They wolde excuse them by unconnynge yf they dyde amys.
