Uncouthness

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Uncouth \Un*couth"\ ([u^]n*k[=oo]th"), a. [OE. uncouth, AS.
     unc[=u][eth] unknown, strange: un- (see {Un-} not) +
     c[=u][eth] known, p. p. of cunnan to know. See {Can} to be
     able, and cf. {Unco}, {Unked}.]
     1. Unknown. [Obs.] "This uncouth errand." --Milton.
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              To leave the good that I had in hand,
              In hope of better that was uncouth.   --Spenser.
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     2. Uncommon; rare; exquisite; elegant. [Obs.]
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              Harness . . . so uncouth and so rich. --Chaucer.
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     3. Unfamiliar; strange; hence, mysterious; dreadful; also,
        odd; awkward; boorish; as, uncouth manners. "Uncouth in
        guise and gesture." --I. Taylor.
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              I am surprised with an uncouth fear.  --Shak.
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              Thus sang the uncouth swain.          --Milton.
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     Syn: See {Awkward}.
          [1913 Webster] -- {Un*couth"ly}, adv. --
          {Un*couth"ness}, n.
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From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  uncouthness
       n : inelegance by virtue of being an uncouth boor [syn: {boorishness}]