A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Machiavell, Matchevell, Matchewell. [e.m.E. machivell (1597), f. the name of Machiavelli, author of Il Principe.] One who acts on the principles advocated by Machiavelli, an unscrupulous schemer, a cunning rascal. —1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 24.
Machiavell mokkaris 1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv. 220; Ib. 80.
Thair Matchewell [sc. Adamson; v.r. Matchevell] had bene mischevit Were not his falsett was confesstFor other allusions to Machiavelli and his alleged duplicity in statecraft, see 1570 Sat. P. xxii. 8 (Machiauellus lair), 1572 Sempill Ib. xxx. 138 (Macheuillus scuillis), 1584 Id. Ib. xlv. 39 (Matchevellous).
