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.
Naturalité, -ity, -itie, Naturalty, n. [e.m.E. naturalitie (a 1533), -y, F. naturalité (14th c.), L. nātūrālitas.]
1. Native endowment, espec. mental; ability, intelligence, readiness of apprehension.1516 Reg. Privy S. I. 431/2.
Thingis … that the said Johne mycht do hymself an he war of perfite wit, naturalite, age and knawlege 1533 Boece vi. i. 184 b.
Nocht ȝit of ȝeris to gide the kinrik, how beit he had naturalite to supple his les age and tendir ȝeris 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 167.
Lat the world judge specialie sic as ar naturally acquentit with his naturalitie 1600-1610 Melvill 29.
My naturalitie and easie lerning by the ear maid me the mair unsolide and unreadie to use the forme of the art
2. The rights or position of a native-born subject: cf. Naturalizatioun n.1518 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 126.
[Letters] of naturalite [for Master Anthone Gowzollis, Frenchman] to broik benefice within this realme of Scotland siclyk as he war Scottis born 1558 Acts II. 507/1.
That the elike lettre of naturalitie be gevin be the King and Quene of Scotland 1614 W. Barclay Nepenthes Sig. A 4 b.
The Spaniards, who haue giuen it the right of naturalitie in their soyle terme it tabacco 1622-6 Bisset I. 37/35. Ib. /21.
Quhilkis letteris of naturalitie grantted be the said maist Christiane King is brocht hame and registrate in the buik of parliament
3. Natural human feeling or sympathy, humanity.15.. Misc. Spald. C. II. 334.
That of naturalitie I will do to my barnis as becumis ane fader 1628 Soc. Ant. IV. 461.
If I have either Christianity or naturality, it will not suffer me to forget yow 1661–5 W. Guthrie in Sel. Biog. II. 73.
Tho' there be that much naturalty in us to pity both
