Uncouth, a.
Etymology: [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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for uncouth; he lists it under awkward, barbarous, rustic.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.