A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Courtly, -lie, a. [ME. (c 1450); f. Court n. 2, 3. Cf. Curtly a.]
1. Courtly, courteous; refined, elegant.a1500 Seven S. 2599.
This child sa courtly & sa honest c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 268.
Be courtly ay in clething, and costly arrayit Ib. 435.
I … castis kynd lukis To knychtis and to cleirkis and courtly personis 1531 Bell. Boece I. 129.
The first of thaim wes nurist … with courtlie maneris and havingis Id. Livy I. 31/16.
Ane courtlie veschell namyt feretrum 1535 Stewart 3598.
In courtlie caroling … to dance and sing Ib. 46035; etc.
Banis … wynd in silk richt courtlie for the nanis 15.. Lichtoun Dreme 69 (M).
Ane cleinlie clouk maid of the courtlie wyse 1596 Dalr. I. 96/1.
Casteng aff al courtlie decore, … thay cleith thame selfes of thair cuntrey maner
2. Appropriate to courts of law.a1500 Henr. Fab. 997.
‘Let be, Lowrence’, quod scho, ‘ȝour courtlie knax’
