A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Like-, Lykely, -lie, a. and adv. [e.m.E. and late ME. like-(15th c.), lykely (1470), a refashioning of likly after Like a.: in Sc. only 17th c., after e.m.E. (but cf. Likelynes).] a. adj. = Likly a. 1, 1 c. b. adv. Probably. —a (1) 1683 Martine Reliq. Divi Andreae 211.
Often we must be content … to rely upon … conjectures; and it is good if they be likelie and any way rationall —(2) 1614 Misc. Abbotsf. C. 201.
Such inconvenientis which are likelie to arise amongst our subiectis by longsome pleas in law 1646 Lanark B. Rec. 329.
Quhilk bridge … is lykelie to decay except the same be tymeouslie beatit 1663–9 Livingstone Sel. Biog. I. 161.
The people, being landwart simple people, were more likely to be wrought upon by the Gospellb. 1671 Short Testimony concerning Catherine Allardes.
Nor such a lady was there never before in Kinnaber, nor likely would never be againe
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"Lykely adj., adv.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Nov 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/lykely>
