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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Frevoll, Frewell, a. Also: frevol(e, -voill, -vel(l, frewoll, -wall, -will. [Var. of Frivole a. See also Fruell a.]

1. Fickle, unreliable. c1475 Wall. ii. 144.
Frewill fortoun thus broucht him in the snar Ib. v. 646.
The obserwance Quhilk langis luff, and all his frewill chance Ib. vi. 89.
Fy on fortoun, fy on thy frewall quheyll 1591-2 Rob Stene 22.
We mon byd Thair frevoll freickis of wind and tyd

b. Frail, brittle. a1500 Henr. III. 173/45 (B).
Gud fayth is flemit, worthin frewollar than glas

2. Frivolous, of little account or worth.(a) 1482 Fam. Kilravock 148.
All fravde, gyll, … ande frewell exceptions being excludyt ande by put 1492 Acta Conc. 246/1.
The said reuerend faider sall [not] … allege nor schew the retour … nor nain vther frewell exceptioune 1533 Bell. Livy II. 93/32.
Thare myndis war tane with mony frewell and vncouth ritis of religiouns 1557 Crim. Trials I. 397.
Eftir the presenting of the said Jhone Peirsoune in jugement … vpoune ane frevell exceptioune maid for him(b) 1533 Boece i. vi. 47.
The ansuere of goddis suld nocht move ȝow, for gif … it be frevoll we aucht nocht drede 1549 Compl. 51/10.
Sainct Agustyne … allegis mony freuol argumentis contrar the antipodos Ib. 183/30.
Thir freuole sophistaris that … sklandirs the text of Aristotel c 1554 Misc. Bann. C. II. 31.
The said exceptioun is swa frevoill 1622-6 Bisset I. 163/24.
Procuratouris … suld nocht propone vane and frevoill allegances