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

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

(Publicly,) Publictly, adv. Also: publi(c)k-, publyk(e)-, publike-, publique-, publikt- and -lé, -lie, -lye. [e.m.E. publikely (1567), publiquely (1638).]

1. In presence of the community or its representatives; in open assembly or audience.(a) 1534 Crim. Trials I 1 211.
The publict ceremonie of recanting … was to beare a faggot of drie sticks and burne it publictlie 1560 Bk. Disc. 237.
That the word be treulie preched … , common prayeris publictlie maid 1558-66 Knox II 121.
This oure confessioun was publictlie red … in audience of the … haill parliament 1566–7 Canongate Kirk S. (ed.) 60.
Publiktle 1570-3 Bann. Trans. 66.
Publictlie at the mercat croce … he declared how crewellie he was entreated a1578 Pitsc. II 145 (I). 1580 Facs. Nat. MSS III lxx.
The confession of our fayth stablished and publictly confirmed by sindrie actis of perlamentis 1598 Edinb. B. Rec. V 225.
As the bayrnis learnis ane oratioun of Cicero, he sall caus thame … severally declame th samyn publictlie in the schole 1601 Elgin Rec. II 96.
The elderis … wer solempnlie and publictlie electit 1609 Dundonald Par. Rec. 188.
The minister publictlie to recommend to the parochin the pitifull estait of Edvard Mitchellis vyf 1658 Cramond Kirk S. 6 July.
The minister and session … does appoint intimation publictly to be made upon sabbath nixt, that whatsoever person [etc.] 1668 Irvine Mun. II 226.
His burges tickett to be publictlie lacerat and riven be tuik of drum 1670 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 16 July.
And to crave Marioun Glendoning publictlie pardoun(b) c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2527.
That tyll ane dede stock dois sic reuerence, In presens of the peple, publykelie 1558-66 Knox II 163.
To the end, that Goddis Evangell may be publiklie within this realme preached 1575 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 344.
Publickly married, or hand fast be the reader 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 72.
This seal man be publiklie ministred, according to Christ's institution 1596 Dalr. II 46/8.
Quhen the witches said he suld be crount publiklie 1636 Boharm Kirk S. 1 May.
John Rob resaeved from repentance publiclie 1643 Robertson Cullen Ch. Ann. 18.
The said day the league was publicklie subscryvit bi all the pariochinirs 1647 Sc. N. & Q. 1 Ser. XII 61.
[They] maid their repentance publiklie befor the congregatione

b. Out loud, audibly. a 1569 in Dunlop Confess. (1722) II 637.
Men began to exercise themselfis in reading of the Scriptures secretlie within their awin houses, and thereunto war added secret prayers publictlie made within the houses

2. Openly, in the presence of people, not clandestinely or privately. 1558-66 Knox II 393.
Who raised up thair messe more publictlye then they had done … before 1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv 721.
The portars publictlie reprovit him 1589 St. A. Kirk S. 638.
Passing publikle throw the Sangȝe mercat with hir bair hair coverit only with ane kell as ane madin 1590 Douglas Corr. 34.
This maitter being sa publictlie brokkin forth 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 165/8, 166/3.
Publictlie c1610 Melville Mem. 87.
Publykly 1614 Elgin Rec. II 139.
The bell and the swasche sall declair the samen publictly 1617 Orkney & Shetl. Ct. Bk. in Misc. Maitl. C. II 192.
The samen being lawfullie poundit privatlie or publictlie be nycht or day 1619 Garden Elphinstoun 1626.
Thair aduersars' opinions They publicklie impugne 1635 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. VI 1.
The persons foresaids … haunts and repaires publictlie in all parts of the countrie at thair pleasure 1646 Rep. Maxwell Stuart Mun. 5.
Publiquely 1650 Argyll Synod I 177.
That in his [sc. the narrator's] own audience publictly at table in Pollock Levetennent Colonell Wallace did say [etc.] 1663 Glasgow B. Rec. III 15.
All who refuises sall be kairted publictlie throw the toune

3. For the information of the community, by way of official promulgation. 1596 Dalr. I 264/7.
Thir conditiouns publikelie writtne in parchement

4. Throughout the community. 1561 in Knox II 273.
Against the form quhilk hir majestie fand publictlie and universallie standing at hir majesties arryvell 1597 James VI Dæmonol. (S.T.S.) 56/2.
Any whome persones guiltie of that crime accused … were at the least publickly knowen to be of a very euil life & reputation 1615 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 368.
And that publictlie it sould nocht give ane example to utheris