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.
Mutabilite(e, -itie, n. Also: mutabillitie, mutabilietie, -etie, motabilité. [ME. mutabilite (Chaucer), -ylyte, e.m.E. mutabilitie (a 1548), -ity, F. mutabilité, L. mūtābilitas.] Mutability.
1. Disposition to change, variableness, inconstancy, fickleness.a1500 Lufaris Compl. 123.
No remede is to argewe Agaynis hir mutabilitee 1490 Irland Mir. I. 89/22.
The thrid is, mutabilite and waiknes of oure spreit in comparison of the angell 1531 Bell. Boece I. 110. 1535 Stewart 57952.
Ȝit fals Fortoun that is so variabill … Changis richt oft with mutabillitie a1578 Pitsc. I. 59/28.
Mutabilietie
2. Liability to change, impermanence.a1568 Bell. Bann. MS. Ib/35.
Thy word eterne but end is permanent, Vnalterat but mvtabilitie a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. c. 2.
It is ane mortall pane to heir and se Off this fals warld the mutabilite 1582 Reg. Privy C. III. 493.
Maist subject to change and mutabilitie a 1624 Edinb. Univ. MS. La.ii.319.
No constant thing be se or land Except in motabilite
3. An instance of these, a vicissitude or a piece of inconstancy.1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 522.
Marke, in ȝour rememberance, Ane myrrour of those mutabiliteis, So may ye knaw the courtis inconstance 1549 Compl. 20/14.
The mutations of euerye varldly thyng is certane quhou beit that prosperus men prouidis nocht to resist the occasions of the mutabiliteis c1552 Lynd. Mon. 376.
Thow seis quhat mutabiliteis, Quhat miserabyll calamiteis … Seis thow in euere mortall stait 1589 Misc. Spald. C. II. 278.
Seing … the mutabileteis changeis and contraverseis daylie falling furth amongis the haill estaitis
