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.
Mavité, -yté, n. Also: mawité, -yté, mawvité. [OF. mal-, mauvitié, var. of malvaistié.]Only in early verse.
Wickedness, malice; evil intent, treachery.1375 Barb. i. 126.
Ȝe traistyt in lawte As sympile folk but mawyte [Wynt. R., mawvite] Ib. iv. 730 (E).
Quhethir sa men inclynyt be To vertu or to mawyte [C. mawite] Ib. v. 524.
Opportunyte … to fulfill his mawyte [C. mawite] Ib. vi. 212.
He … off thar mawyte [C. mavite] Wyst na thing Ib. 252.
A gret stane then by hym saw he That throw gret a mawyte Wes lowsyt redy for to fall ?1438 Alex. i. 2354.
Thow … aucht neuer in court to be Honorit for the great mauite Ib. ii. 2053.
Damysell, My hart I gif to thé all hale But velany thocht or mauite Ib. 8240.
Thairof suld nane anoyit be Na think inuy na mauite c1420 Ratis R. 1503.
Quhy has thow joy and mavyte, Man mychty in iniquite?
