A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1375-1596
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Blithnes, Blythnes, n. Also: blaithnes, blythnese, blythe-, blyith-, bleithnes; bli-, blythtnes (bli-, blychtnes). [ME. blythenesse, blithnesse, OE. Blíðnes, -nys.] Happiness, gladness, good spirits.In common use from c 1450.(a) 1375 Barb. xii. 276.
Fredome, welth, and gret blithnes 1456 Hay I. 176/8.
With plesaunce, and disportis, and blithnes 1456 Ib. II. 122/7.
Fulfillit of blithnes and plesaunce 1490 Irland Mir. I. 105/6.
The angellis … had gret blithnes of this concepcioune 1513 Doug. iii. ii. 64.
Mixt with blithnes a fellon dyn vpsprang 1533 Gau 44/28.
The gretast hop and blithtnes of al chrissine man c1550 Rolland Court of Venus i. 266.
In blithnes, [and] aduersite(b) a1400 Legends of the Saints ii. 501.
The grete blythnese [the] kyrk had efter sorowfulnese c1420 Wynt. v. 2396.
The delay … wes Grawntyd wytht the mare blythnes c1420 Ib. viii. 1804.
The Scottis wes Rejosyd in till gret blythnes Off that sycht 1456 Hay II. 122/11.
Be the gaynesse and the blythenes of the saule 1461 Liber Pluscardensis 383.
All solace and blythnes c1420 Ratis Raving 1081.
With blythnes of hir lauchand chere c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxix. 4.
It makis me all blythnes to borrow 1513 Doug. viii. Prol. 80.
Baill hes banyst blythnes 1533 Bell. Livy I. 164/14.
Throw thir tythingis … war the faderis … rasit with inestimabil blyithnes a1568 Scott i. 189.
This ȝeir bayth blythnes and abundance bringis 1570 Satirical Poems xiv. 79.
Sa sall all blyithnes be abhorde 1570 Leslie 157.
Thair wes fyeres of blythnes mad 1596 Dalr. I. 263/16.
With blythnes consenting togither(c) c1460 Wisdom of Solomon 810.
Al that is bot … transitoure blythtnes 1533 Boece v. ii. 167.
With … incredibill blythtnes and clamour 1549 Complaynte of Scotland 84/29.
The Parisiens maid gryt … ioye for blythtnes a1578 Pitsc. I. 323/3.
Bischope James Bettoun … maid thame great cheir and blythtnes
