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

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Noto(u)rly, adv. Also: noto(u)r(e)lie, notoure-, notoir-, notur(e)ly, -lie, notorialy, noterly, noter-, nowter-, notir-, notar(e)lie; notto(u)rly, -lie, nottarly, -lie; nowterlé. [f. Notour a.:cf. late ME. and e.m.E. notoir- (1409–10), notoyr- (Malory), notairely (Caxton), and F. notoirement (also OF. notaire-); also notorely (1502), late ME. and e.m.E. notorily (1455–1512).]

As a matter of common knowledge, openly, publicly.1. With knawin p.p. and its synonyms (see also Knaw v.¹ 14 b, 15 c (2) and d (2) and 18 (2), Ken v. 20 b and Manifest a.² (2), quot. 1599) in senses and uses paralleling the various predic. ones of Notour a. 2.Common, esp. with knawin, throughout the 16th and 17th centuries.a. 1446 Raine N. Durham App. 22.
It is notorly knawyn the manifest tressonable takyn off our castell of Dunbar 1477–8 Reg. Episc. Glasg. II. 459.
The quhilk [tenement] … as was notorly knawin to al the membris of that court was destitut of all bigging 1484 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 40. 1485 Liber Coll. Glasg. 197.
Geif it happynnis the saidis priour [etc.] … to falyhe in the seruice … abuff writyn that it ma be notorialy knawyn be the sycht of the lorde Bischope of Glasgw … and be the prowest and balyheis of the toune 1498–9 Acta Conc. II. 312.
Sa it be notourely kend in his defalt 1541 Reg. Cupar A. II. 14.
Notirlie 1544 Reg. Privy S. III. 129/1.
As notourlie is knawin 1557 Reg. Cupar A. II. 143.
Or give thai be noterlie knawing adulteraris 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 44. 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 161.
Notorly 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 207.
As ane thing mair nor notourlie knowin a1585 Polwart Flyt. 621 (T).
He was ane fals schismatik, notorlie namit 1578 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. I. 88.
Becaus it ves notourlie knawin to thame that he contravenit [etc.] 1622 Reg. Privy C. XIII. 768.
Ar repute and noterlie knawin to be alyk guiltie 1626 Justiciary Cases I. 52.
Nottourlieb. 1464 Fam. Innes 78.
(a) In the quhilkis [lands] the said Schir Robert deyt … sesit … quhilk is notourly knawyn and at I wate wele c1515 Asl. MS. I. 329/21.
The quhilkis … ar so notourlie knawin throu dulce teching & preching … that [etc.] 1512 Crim. Trials I. i. 80.
Or quhar the takaris … ar maisteris of pover … and that be noturly knavin or vndirstand 1513 Doug. xii. i. 88.
Noterly 1533 Bell. Livy II. 285.
At the awyse of the ancient Gabynis … to quham thir materis war maist notourly knawin 1553 Perth Guildry 510 (13 Sept.).
And sall nocht absent hym self … except he be seik alanerlie and that tobe notourlie knawin 1559–60 Soc. Ant. XI. 525.
For it is notourlie knauin that scho was oft tymes in vehement seiknes nocht myndful of wardli purpoissis 1562–3 Inverness Rec. I. 97.
Nowterle 1570 Cal. Sc. P. III. 475.
Notoirlie 1608 Stirling Merch. Guild. 27.
Seeing it is notourlie known to thame all that thair brother … is depauperat [etc.] 1619 Garden Elphinstoun 1765.
This … loue … So oft and too too noturlie To mony countries knawne a1633 Hope Major Pract. II. 64.
The persewar is not oblidged to produce his titile if it be noturlie knowen to the judge 1634 Aberd. B. Rec. III. 64.
Men … notourlie knawin be thair gude careage to this … toune a1650 Row 288.
Noturely 1672 Aberd. Council Lett. V. 206.
Notarlie 1678 Wemyss Chart. 253.
Seing the literature, qualification and good conversation of the said Mr. Alexander Monro is notorlie knoun 1679 Aberd. Council Lett. VI. 173.
Notorlie 1681 Fountainhall Decis. I. 137.
Notourly 1688 Tryal Philip Standsfield 8.(b) 1462 Cal. Charters Suppl. 9 Nov.
Unles than it be nottorly knawyn that sic gudis passit throw thar port of fors and nocht of thar licence a1633 Hope Major Pract. II. 276.
Quherof he wes nottarlie knowen to be inocent 1674 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 192.
Which is nottarlie evident and knowen to … your lordships 1686 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII. 93.
Nottarly 1692 Misc. B. Rec. 58.
Nottourly

2. With finite verbs. 1424 Acts II. 3/1.
That na man opinly or notouriy rebell aganis the Kyngis persone 1542 Ib. 415/2.
Bot aganis the airis of thame that notourlie committis … crimes of leise maistie 1674 Justiciary Ct. Rec. II. 234.
He being nottorly an ungodly person and a traitor

3. (Proved) ? out of common knowledge, by well-known or evident facts, evidently. — 1554 Misc. Spald C. II. c.
[As was] nottourly [proven before the said king of arms]