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.
Devilisch, Divilisch, a. Also: devilishe, -ise, -ege; devillische, -issh, -ysche, devyllische, -ish; develleische, -elische, deulish; dewillysche, -ich(e, -ilsche; divilische, -ish, divillisch, divellisch, -elis(che, diwilishe, -elische. [Late ME. deuylysshe (a 1500), e.m.E. devylishe, dyvelysshe, etc., f. Devil.]
1. Of actions, qualities, etc.: Worthy of or befitting the devil; diabolical, fiendish.(a) 1513 Doug. i. Prol. 216 (dewillich warkis and coniurationis). c1568 Lauder Minor P. i. 93 (dewillysche doctrine and idolatrie). 1572 Maitl. F. lxxxviii. 4 (dispyis thair dewilliche deming). a1578 Pitsc. II. 60/18 (wordis of dewilsche dispyte).(b) 1561 Q. Kennedy Oratioun 20 (thair deuillische doctrine and doyingis). 1562-3 Winȝet I. 40/4 (deuyllish eloquence of wordis). 1571 Sat. P. xviii. 52 (thair deuillische deuysis). 1584 Edinb. Test. XIV. 162 (to mak ony compt to that develische kirk). 1590 Digest Justic. Proc. M 29 (hir develleische incantationis and witchcraft); 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I. 132 (haitrent, ewill will, and deuilische mynd). 1600 Hamiilton Facile Tr. 63 (the deuilege adultering of the word of God). 1622-6 Bisset I. 64/2 (all the said Makbaithis devillische consaitis).(c) 15.. Clar. iii. 1507 (be divillisch treasoun). 1581 Bk. Univ. Kirk II. 516 (his diwilishe mes). c1590 J. Stewart 217 § 69 (this diwelische dolorus degres). 1597 Elphinstone Chart. 136 (sorcerie or sic diuilische practizes). 1610 Misc. Hist. Soc. II. 201 (sa hainous and divelis lies). 1614 Melrose P. 175 (thir bluidie tratoures within this diuilisch castle).
2. Resembling, having the nature of, a devil.15.. Clar. iii. 1989 (that divellisch Sir Thomas the tratour). c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2257 (thare gret deuilische god Dagone). a1568 Bann. MS. 136 b/28 (for dule of that devillisch deme). 1572 Reg. Privy C. II. 168 (that devillishe and terrible Counsall of Trent). a1585 Maitl. Q. lxi. 15 (Mar and the divelische Douglassis).
