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.
Mollify, -fie, v. Also: molifie, mollifé, molefie, -fé. [e.m.E. and late ME. mollifie (c 1412), mollefye, mol(l)yfy, F. mollifier, L. mollificāre.]
1. tr. To make soft or tender.1580 Skeyne Descr. Well A. 2 b.
On na wayis it laxis nor molefeis … the skyn of mannis body
2. To soften in temper, render less obdurate.Chiefly, to mollify (a person's) heart (to (do) something, etc.).(1) 1562-3 Winȝet I. 41/27.
Gyf al thir terrouris may nocht mollifie ȝour hartis to knaw oure iust motiones Ib. 97/6.
Think ȝe nocht that this … suld mollifie to humill obedience the hert of ane trew Scot, albeit it war forgeit of irne or steill? 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 88.
To pray … that God wald inform, mollifie and mak soft the hartis of our soueranis towardis our nobilitie 1572 Reg. Privy C. II. 159.
That … the hartis of thame that able hes bene offendit may be mollifiit and inducit to forgett thingis that ar past 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 136. 1609 Garden Garden 66.
Mollifeit [: spreit] a1633 Hope Major Pract. I. 136.
Till God should molefie their hairts(2) 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 125.
The spirit … mollifies the affection quhilk was hard of before in sic sort that it is made to poure out thy affection … on … God, quhere it was poured out on ane idoll … before
3. To lessen the severity of (a punishment).1590 Digest Justiciary Proc. M. 12.
We being movit of our clemencie to molifie and of our royeil authoritie to dispone with the executioun of the dome pronunceit
