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.
Devilry, n. Also: devilrie, devylrie, dewillrie, -ilry, -ylry; divelrie. [ME. devylrye (Wyclif), develry, f. Devil.] Dealing with the Devil; diabolical agency or operation; action inspired by, or worthy of, the Devil.1375 Barb. iv. 690.
That thai … throu thair deuilry [E. dewilry] Of thir twyn maners makis fanding Of thingis to cum to haf knawing a1400 Leg. S. iv. 31.
In that land a man thar wes … That had delyt in devilry Ib. xviii. 936.
Sangis … of lychery vile & als dewylry c1420 Wynt. v. 5633.
He halowyd it wpe in hy, … And purgyd it off all dewylry Ib. ix. 2472.
Be wichcrafft or devilry c1515 Asl. MS. I. 190/15.
The Brettonnis maid him king throw the devilry of Merlyne 1531 Bell. Boece II. 206.
The king wes … trubillit … be devilry and craft of wichis 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1016.
I knaw na thing how it is fallin be chance, Be deuilrie, or Goddis ordinance c1568 Lauder Minor P. i. 421.
Wer it Gods wourd, … Tha wald nocht in sic deuylrie indure a1585 Polwart Flyt. 682 (T).
Dastard, thow daffis, that with sic dewillrie mellis 1596 Dalr. I. 287/18.
The king throuch the arte of magik, witchcraft and deuilrie was consumet 1624 Misc. Abbotsf. C. 143.
The culter and sock gaid out off the pleuche be ȝour witchcraft and divelrie
