A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Derfly(e, Darflye, adv. Also: derffly, derf-, darflie, dearfly. [ME. derfly, darfly, early derflike, -liche (c 1200), ON. *dearfliga (Icel. djarfliga) . Only poetic.]
1. Boldly, courageously, hardily, strenuously.c1420 Wynt. iv. 476.
The Sytykys come wyth thaire batayle The Perseys derffly till assayle Ib. 653.
Thai mycht … hawe sene In batayle derffly men slaand c1475 Wall. iv. 94.
The tothir twa derfly to dede thai dycht Ib. vii. 1200. a1500 Rauf C. 795.
Euin to the montane he maid him full boun, … Derfly ouir daillis a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 680.
Thair riche birnys thai bet derfly with dynt a1500 Prestis of Peblis 237.
At hasert wald he derfly play & dys 1533 Boece xi. viii. 422.
Hay … quham he recounterit … draif derflie to deid c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 154.
The vther was baith stout and strang, And on the Squyer darflie dang c1552 Id. Mon. 3316.
He darflye tuke on hand that dede
2. Strongly, severely, violently.c1450-2 Howlat 445.
Quhen the dait of his deid derfly him dowit 1535 Stewart 1407.
Eolus … In Yrland cost rycht darflie did thaime dryve Ib. 9761.
With bowis big and stringis of teuche tow Wald lest to draw as darflie as thai dow a1585 Polwart Flyt. 562 (T).
Delay his death … To doolful dollour derflie [v.r. dearfly] or ȝe dryve him
