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.
Quotation dates: 1500-1667
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Princ(e)ly, adj. Also: prynce- and -lie; princilie; Prencely. [e.m.E. (1513).] Princely.
1. Of, belonging to, appropriate to, or befitting, a prince or sovereign; kingly, regal.(1) c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlviii 118.
And he did thame ressaif with princely laitis c1500-50 Brevis Cronica 329.
Constantyne the thride … exonerat him of all princely dignite and tuke the habyt of ane channoun regular 1533 Boece 163.
The nobillis … causit bery his corps with princelie pompe [L. apparatu regio] a1568 Scott vi 21.
For as prowd princely luve express Is to haif souerenitie, So [etc.] a1570-86 Maitland Folio MS lx 8.
Thy servandis … support With princelie liberalite a1570-86 Maitland Maitland Folio MS cxi 35.
Fra thair heicht and princelie place 1574–5 Reg. Privy S. VII 12/2. a1578 Pitsc. I 278/1.
Thow was the gloir of princlie gowerning 1587–8 James VI in Aberd. Council Lett. I 23.
Gif we of oure princelie power and auctoritie interpone not [etc.] 1608 Elphinstone Chart. 178.
Out of your most royalle misericorde, declair your princely will 1609 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 160.
It war langsum to trobill ȝour princlie caires with so prolixt ane frivolous purpois 1623 Aberd. Council Lett. I 212.
His sacred maiestie quhoise fayderlie cair and princilie providence hes never [etc.](2) 1533 Boece 60.
In the marbill chyare fataill to kingis … was Ferichare sett and ressauit princelie ornamentis [L. regia accepit insignia]
2. a. Like a prince, resembling a prince in grandeur or dignity. 1562-3 Winȝet I 51/34.
I seirceit out the titill that our new Caluiniane kingis and princelie preistis culd haif for thair auctoritie
b. Like that of a prince, noble. 15.. Dunb. To London 49.
Thy famous maire, by pryncely governaunce … thé rulith prudently c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4504.
Thow may se, be experience The popis princely preheminence
c. Of possessions, gifts, etc.: Fit for a prince, magnificent, rich, splendid. 1529 Lynd. Complaynt 68.
Bot I sall get princely rewaird 1533 Boece 264 b.
Vortigerne … rewarding him with princely giftis 1667 Highland P. II 9.
The princlie pallace braue; Fowler I 394/1. The forme of M'leod's house at that time was so princly that [etc.]
3. That is a prince, royal. 1540 Lynd. Sat. 4558.
Ane nobill kaip imperiell … For princely and imperiall fulis a1585 Maitland Quarto MS lxv 176.
Ay still obey that princelie princes impyre
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"Princly adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/princely_adj>
