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: 1443-1638
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Frivolous, Frivolus, a. Also: fryvolus, frivelous; frevolus, -olowis. [e.m.E. frivolous, fryvolouse (1549), f. frivole a.]
1. Frivolous, trifling. Cf. Frivole a.(a) 1443 Highland P. II. 179.
Al fraude and gile or frivolus exceptioun away put and excludit 1443 Ib.
But fraude or gile or frivelous exceptioun 1482 Reg. Morton II. 247.
Na remeide nor fryvolus excepcione of law … to be allegyt 1599 Melvill 451.
That the Papist's argument was frivolus from the abbus of mariage to the taking away of the benefit thairof 1638 9th Rep. Hist. MSS. 194/2.
Ane litill blak bandit box locket with certane friuolous writes and missiues thairintill(b) 1450 Reg. Great S. 84/1.
Al fraud, gile and frevolus excepcioun expirit and put away 1570 Leslie 252.
Quhairby … frevolowis and superflowis termis … [may be] cut away
2. Of a light or wanton character. a1500 Henr. Fab. 557.
This tod, thocht he wes fals and friuolous, … Desauit wes c1550 Rolland Court of Venus iii. 813.
Howbeit … of all sin Christ was quit And Mary als, … Bot ȝit thay come of folkis friuolous
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"Frivolous adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/frivolous>
