A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Invy, Inwy, n. Also: invie, inwi. [Late ME. (once) invye (c 1440). The usual Sc. form in place of Envy.]
1. Rancour or mortification at another's advantages; malice, animosity, or hostility arising from this or other causes.As in ME. the senses are not clearly distinguishable, one frequently involving or implying another.(a) a1400 Leg. S. iii. 876.
The fals fend … Had invy he liffit sa Thankfully to God and mane ?1438 Alex. ii. 8240.
Thairof suld nane anoyit be, Na think inuy na mauite 1456 Hay I. 273/27.
Gif ane of his nychtbouris for invye walde ger summond him in jugement c1490 Irland Asl. MS. I. 70/20.
I haue synnit in the … syn of invy beand evill content … of the prosperite of other personis 1533 Gau 15/21.
Al the sinnis quhilk cumis of inuy and heitrand, striff and dissentione 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2402.
I persaue this is done All for inuy 1549 Compl. 12/18.
Quhou beit that detractione be armit vitht inuy reddy … tyl impugn ane verteous verk a1578 Pitsc. I. 290/10.
[He] rememberit of auld malice and invye betuix him and the Homes 1585 James VI Ess. 39.
Lose not beart, though pale inuye Bark at thy praise c1650 Spalding II. 371.
Bot what wes done … wes be the invy and malice of the nightbouris, amongis thame selffis(b) c1420 Wynt. viii. 2971.
Thare wes he [Wallace] … wndwne Be dyspyte and hat inwy c1420 Ratis R. 621.
Scho has dispyt at all inwy, And ȝarnis na thing vrangvisly c1475 Wall. xi. 283.
The campiounis, lo, for inwy causlace, To sodand ded Wallace thaim brocht throu cace 1490 Irland Mir. I. 13/37.
Thi counsalouris … suld be … woid of all hatrent and jnwy 1562-3 Winȝet I. 115 margin.
Because ȝour awin belliis forbiddis ȝou, and inwy agains sum a1570-86 Maitl. F. clxxix. 41.
Haif nocht inwy thocht weikit men In wardlie welthe do thé excell(c) 1533 Gau 43/31.
The Dewil throw quhais inwi deid com in the wardil c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 1185.
For jelousie and fals inuie Did him persew richt cruellie 1570 Sat. P. xiii. 33.
This mortall feid, this haitrent and inuie, Did first begin … Betuix twa brether, Cain and Abell 1596 Dalr. II. 29/11.
Efter this was lang peace betuein Scotl. and Ingland, an ald invie, nochttheles, was ay seine betuein thame 1587-99 Hume Epistle 320.
If … sum wald alleadge that I Haue this invaid on malice and inuie
b. In the phrases, To have invy at (aganis, to) the person or his advantages; to have the person at (in) invy; to bere invy to.(1) 1375 Barb. iv. 225.
Fendis … to mankynd has invy Ib. xv. 405.
Schir Robert de Nevall … had at him full gret invy a1400 Leg. S. iv. 172.
I haf mysdone, A-ganys thé hafand invy c1552 Lynd. Mon. 889.
That most vnhappy cumpanye Att father Adam had inuye 1560 Rolland Seven S. 5552.
Thairfoir at him he had lurking invy a1578 Pitsc. II. 154/21.
They haue greatter invy at ȝow nor all thair enemies the Frinchemen 1601 Elgin Rec. II. 95.
Quhat invy is this that ȝour brother the minister hes at me?(2) c1420 Wynt. v. 1284.
At hys state he hade inwy That wes luwyde sa specyaly ?1438 Alex. I. 2509.
Ane thousand sall haue invy Richt at his douchty cheualry(3) c1420 Wynt. viii. 1912.
The Cumynys [had] all thir lordis for thi In gret suspectyown and inwy a1500 Rauf C. 196.
The forestaris … haue me all at inuy, for dreid of the deir c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 624.
[They] guydit thame sa honestlie, Inglismen had thame at inuie(4) 1622 Crim. Trials III. 511.
Against sic persones to quhome the said Margaret buir invy
2. Strong feeling or desire (to do something). (After OF. envie.)?1438 Alex. i. 2388.
He had great inuy To mete him that him fellit hade Ib. 3021.
Sen thow hes sic inuy To venge my harm
