A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1568-1658
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Prettily, Pretily, adv. Also: pret(t)il(l)ie, prettelie, pretely. [e.m.E. pretily (c 1500), pretely (1533), prettily (1579–80): Cf. Prattilie.] a. Cleverly, skilfully, ingeniously, cunningly. b. Daintily, prettily, beautifully. —a. 1568 Lyndesay Pref. (S.T.S.) 397.
He quiklie & prettilie inuentit ane prettie trik to teine thame 1584 Melvill 174.
Some … played prettelie the part of Jak on bathe the sydes c1610 Melville Mem. 341.
For this was pretely put in his head 1658 R. Moray Lett. 15/25 Jan.
Is this not prettily leppin to the gait?b. a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 36 (L).
And euerie blume on branche and bewch So prettillie thay spred 1595 Duncan App. Etym.
Scitè, eleganter, pretilie, bonnilie a1605 Montg. Son. liii 3.
For pitthie poemis prettilie out paintis My secreit sighis a1646 Wedderburn Voc. (1709) 20.
Scite pingit, He painteth pretily
