A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Possibilly, -ibillie, -iblie, adv. (adj.) Also: pos- and -ibelie, -abillie, -eblie. [e.m.E. and ME possibli (Chaucer), -ly(e (16th c.), f. Possibil(ladj.1] a. adv. With verbs of possibility, as can, could, may: Possibly, by any means. b. Irreg. substituted for Possibil(l adj. (also in e.m.E., 1560–).a. 1570 Bann. Memor. 30.
Lykeas the nobilitie now assembled will tarie thair conjunctioune, so lang as possiblie … thai may 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 6.
The king … followit efter with all the haist he possibilly culd 1586 Douglas Chart. 288.
Vse the diligence that possiblie may be … to collect the names [etc.] 1611 Crim. Trials III 214.
That Reidhous … sa possibillie could nocht be darnit ofbefoir in the leght 1617 Aberd. Council Lett. I 149.
The matter … quhilk we hoipe ye sall bring to sic … end as possibillie ye can 1619 Fraserburgh Kirk S. 85 b (27 Jan.).
That they wald put him to ane rest quhow sone they micht possibillie withe guid order 1623 Aberd. Council Lett. I 217.
The said tymber to be straught … as possabillie ther can be had 1650 Laing MSS. I 251.
All that posibelie I canb. 1542 Acts II 416/2.
It was nocht posseblie to thaim to haif … informit thar procuratoris 1568–9 Reg. Privy C. I 646.
The saidis personis haif by all meanis possibillie solistit … the saidis faythfull subjectis
