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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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About this entry:
First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Michtily, adv. Also: michtil(l)ie, -ely(e, -el(l)ie, michely, mechtillie, mychtilie, -yly, -ely, -(t)elie, mychtlie, mightil(l)ie, -ely, -el(l)ie. [ME. mightily, myghtily, OE. mihtiᵹlíce: cf. Michtlie.]

1. In a mighty manner, with great strength or force; strongly, doughtily, vigorously.c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 2106.
Assandrus also Passed … Aganis the Troyens michtely
c1420 Wynt. v. 4456.
Zeno send hym till Ytaly Wyth hys awyne Gottys mychtyly
1513 Doug. x. x. 24.
The tother … Buyr at hym mychtyly with a lang speir
c1500-c1512 Dunb. liv. 17.
Quhai for hir saik … Preiffis maist mychtelye in the feld
1533 Boece xii. ii. 456 b.
Sweno … mychtely with thame halit [etc.]
1562-3 Winȝet II. 6/28.
The forcie … strake, quhilk he richt michtelie oft doublis aganis al sawaris of discord
1596 Dalr. II. 6/2.
Mychtilie thay meit, fercelie thay fecht

b. Strongly, well (horsed).1456 Hay I. 37/11.
[He] was michtily horsit and of grete curage

c. Loudly, vehemently.1529 Rec. Earld. Orkney 58.
Cryand mychtily for God's saik on their kneis

2. By divine power.a1400 Leg. S. ii. 118.
That kinge [Jesus] serwe I, That raisit me sa mychtyly
Ib. vii. 426.
Goddis Sone … This mychtely that has heylit me
Ib. ix. 140. 1568 Lyndesay Pref.

3. Plentifully, copiously, abundantly; richly, splendidly; well, happily.a1400 Leg. S. xliv. 341.
Hire mychtty frendis … mad a crafty kirke … & feffyt it mychtyly Of gret rentis
c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 469.
And for gude deid reward ay mychttelie
Ib. 551.
Than Alexander was warnist mychtilie In wit wisdome and science of clergie
c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxiii. 23.
Quho levis mirry, he levis michtely [v.r. michely]
Id. xlviii. 97.
On feild of gold he [the lion] stude full mychtely
1531 Bell. Boece II. 38.
King Vortigern drank michtely of the coupe
15.. Clar. i. 802.
Ane plesant wompill, with stonis set mightelie
Ib. ii. 1789, iv. 2408. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 683.
He is michtilie maried that misters na mends

4. Powerfully, deeply (moved, offended, etc.); to a great extent, greatly, extremely, very much.a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 1180.
For to speike … Off hell the passing pane perpetuall It suld … mychtely mufe manly memoriale
1600-1610 Melvill 554.
He did schaw him selff mychtily offendit at [etc.]
c1615 Chron. Kings 68.
Efter he caussit opress the Inglismen mechtillie
1615 Highland P. III. 297.
The rebels hes spoylled mightellie the land
1618 Crim. Trials III. 451.
The Inglischmen ar michtilie blind
1623 Conv. Burghs III. 147.
Be protectiounes … the lieges ar michtelie preiudgit
c1650 Spalding I. 23. Ib. 266, II. 13.
The Erll of Morray … rejoisit michtellie at this vassallage
1682 St. A. Baxter Bks. 141.

25939

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