north. and Sc. Obs. Also 4–5 vnbest(e, 6 wn-, vnbeast, 6 vn-, 9 unbeist, 8 Sc. onbeast. [UN-1 12. Cf. MDu. and Du. ondier, MHG. and G. untier, Da. and Norw. udyr, Sw. odjur.] A wild beast; a monster; a ravenous or vile animal. Also transf.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 19859. Quen petre þais vnbestes sagh, O þaim þan thoght him mikel agh.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, xvi. (Magdalene), 502. Pytuisly þe prince can pray, þat þai hyr kest nocht in þe se, met til vnbestis to be.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy., 7766. He auntrid on this Vnbest angardly fast.
a. 1585. Montgomerie, Flyting, 258 (Tullibardine MS.). Bot this bargane, vnbeist, deir sall þou by it.
1629. Z. Boyd, Last Battell, i. 47. Fye upon barnes, a nest for myce and rattons. Would yee desire to liue for to enjoye the leauinges of vnbeastes?
1768. Ross, Helenore, I. 8. Has the onbeast your lambie then awa’? Ibid., I. 18.
1808. Jamieson, s.v. Onbeast, Unbeist,… a noxious member of human society Ang[us].
