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.
Not-the-les, adv. Also: -lesse. [e.m.E. (once) not thelesse (Coverdale), otherwise appar. only Sc.: cf. Nocht-the-les and Notheles.] Nevertheless, none the less.1513 Doug. x. viii. 169.
And not [Sm. nocht] the les thy swerd leiffis in the planys Gret hepys ded 1555 Acts II. 498/1.
Nottheles 1560 Rolland Seven S. 53.
Bot not the les lang tyme befoir thir dayis Ane empreour was Ib. 511.
Ȝit not the les we wald mak puruyance 1567 Acts III. 27/1.
Nottheles the said act being prentit [etc.] 1567 G. Ball. 41. 1568 Skeyne Descr. Pest 6.
Nottheless 1571 Reg. Privy C. II. 82.
Not theles 1575 Cal. Sc. P. V. 200.
Nottheles 1585 James VI Ess.52.
Not theles c1590 Fowler II. 83/30; etc. a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI 251.
Nottheles 1612 Douglas Corr. 375.
Yet nottheless a1639 Spotsw. Hist. (1677) 519. 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 499.
Notthelesse a1650 Row 301. c1650 Spalding I. 375
Not theles
