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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Stif(f)ly, -ie, Stiev(e)ly, adv. Also: stiffely, styfly, -ie. [ME and e.m.E. stifliche (c1290), stifly (Chaucer), stiffloke (c1400), stiffly (1535), stiffely (a1555); Stif(f adj.]

1. Strongly. Cf. Stif(f adj. 5 b. a1500 Rauf C. 16.
The wind blew out of the eist stiflie and sture

2. a. Unyieldingly, resolutely, steadfastly; fiercely. Cf. Stif(f adj. 4 a. b. Obstinately, recalcitrantly. Cf. Stif(f adj. 4 b. c. Severely.a. a1500 Rauf C. 865.
In stour stifly thay stand a1500 Seven S. 439.
Sa stifly thar in stowr thai stude That the hous flure was full of blud 1535 Stewart 2341.
Stiflie 1562-3 Winȝet I 134/31.
Ȝit nochtwithstanding the said excommunicatioun, thai perseuerit stiflie [Edinb. Univ. MS fermlie] in thair purpose 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 36.
In the reirward was the erle of Bothwill, quha baid stiflie quhill he micht no moir 1578 Anal. Scot. I 269.
Gyf thay stand styfly at my word, Fray plaigis gryt thay salbe fre 1596 Dalr. II 162/23.
The noble men straue stiflie for the destributioun of smal benifices to thair freinds 1684 Erskine Diary 29.
Mr. Morison … owned the covenant stievely before the Justice Courtb. a1561 Norvell Meroure 6a.
Thou wold not grant thy fault nor it declare, But thou durst styflie … Excuse thy fault 1621 Perth Kirk S. MS 13 Aug.
He standis stiflie at his denyell 1637 Dundonald Par. Rec. 419.
Quhilk … the said Robert Wyllie most stifflie and impudentlie denyit 1640 Maister George Blacke His Masterlesse Men 5.
I summerly refute his grose errour and antichristian tenet, which he stiffely retains 1702 Rothesay Par. Rec. 154.
Duncan M^cAvish being again called in and further interrogate … he still verie stifflie denyed all, and being seriouslie dealt with by the Session … he still persisted obstinatelie denying 1708 Black Orkn. & Shetl. Folklore 134.
Stifflyc. 1647 McNaught Kilmaurs 151.
[A gentle pastor] stievly and sharplie rebukit [for not being severe with delinquents]