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.
Covertly, Cowertly, -artlie, adv. [ME. covertly (c 1400), f. Covert,a.] Privately, secretly.a1400 Leg. S. ii. 170.
Couertly to his men he bad That nane suld noy Cristine mare Ib. xxxvi. 547.
Quhen he cowertly To sauf his aith did felny 1456 Hay I. 281/18.
In entencioun to do mys … covertly Ib. II. 78/27.
Thai geve oft tymes thair ensamplis … covertly c1475 Wall. ii. 277.
Rycht couertly thai kepe him in that caiff a1578 Pitsc. II. 208/16.
The foirsaid murthurar cowartlie depairtit be the quenis convoy
