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.
Quotation dates: 1375-1599
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Ferly, Ferlie, adv. [ME. ferly (c 1330), ON. ferliga, monstrously. Cf. Farly adv.] Marvellously, wonderfully, extremely. 1375 Barb. xiv. 322.
It angerit him richt ferly fast 1375 Ib. xix. 70. a1400 Legends of the Saints v. 576.
Thare come a lycht fra the hewyne … sa ferly brycht a1400 Ib. xvi. 465.
Than was the lord ferly wa c1450-2 Howlat 511.
Full ferly fele has he feld and slane in the flicht 1456 Hay II. 110/7.
Thare was send thé a maidyn rycht ferly faire a1500 Henr. Fab. 1572.
The faire forrest with … floures ferly sweete a1500 Id. III. 114/16.
O ȝowtht, thi flowris fadis ferly sone a1500 Golagros and Gawane 795.
Than schir Spynagros … wox ferly unfane c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxvii. 10.
This angellis … face as fyrflaucht flawmit, ferly brycht 15.. Clariodus i. 818.
Ressavit he hes the wompill ferlie fair c1550 Rolland Court of Venus ii. 1024.
Howbeit we be in number ferlie few
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"Ferly adv.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/ferly_adv>
