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.
Privat-, Privately, -lie, -lé, adv. [e.m.E. (1548, 1550).]
1. Without the participation, presence or knowledge of the public, not in a public place, in private.?a1500 Rosw. & Lillian 563.
He laid him down right privatlie 1530 Edinb. B. Rec. II 27.
That scho say na displesour … till Thomas Wauhope nor his spous, nother oppinlie nor priuatlie 1533 Bell. Livy II 267.
Herefor lat ws nuris baith priuatlie and appinlie the mater 1548 (c 1580) Edinb. B. Rec. II 141.
That na paynsches be weischein nor dycht at ony wallis bot priuatlie in houssis 1561 St. A. Kirk S. 75.
To be examinated, fyrst privatle upon the cheaf puntis and headis in controversy and tharefter ane porcion of text … to declar … in the essemble 1562-3 Winȝet II 64/8.
Quhiddir priuatlie or publictlie 1564 St. A. Kirk S. 228.
Efter promys of mariaige mayd betuix tham privatle 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 13. a1578 Pitsc. I 15/35. 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Iter.
Dittay may be taken vp twa maner of waies, privatly and publickly; For the justice and his deputes may privily take vp dittay [etc.] 1605 Paterson Ayr & Wigton I 97.
That they sal reveil the same first to ane eldar privatlie 1654 Lamont Diary 74.
The magistrands … were lauriat priuatlie 1664 Hannay College of Justice 153.
Privatlie and publicklie examined
b. Secretly, stealthily, clandestinely.Chiefly in contexts implying disapproval.1515 (c 1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 157.
And failyeing of the said meill, gif it beis priuatly had away 1562-3 Winȝet I 52/20.
Ane thing to hef … roundit priuatlie in the mirk, and ane vther thing to hef precheit oppinlie in the pulpet c1575 Balfour Pract. 512.
Privat murther is quhen ane is slane … or utherwayis put down privatlie 1580 Reg. Privy C. III 281.
Gif he depairtit privatlie frome this … place without gude deliberatioun 1587 Aberd. Council Lett. I 33.
The said George wyf … was than lyand privatlie and obscurlie in the said Jones hous 1590–1 Crim. Trials I ii 214.
The devil … unto whom they were privately sworne 1615 Orkney & Shetl. Ct. Bk. in Misc. Maitl. C. II 184.
Under cloud of nicht or priuatlie
2. In a private capacity; unofficially.1500 (c 1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 84.
And at na persoun tak vpoun hand priuatlie be him self to mak ony sic clengeing 1533 Bell. Livy II 162/34.
This sacrifice was done privately throw al the ciete with opin durris 1580 Bk. Univ. Kirk II 465.
Baptizeth bearnes privately 1638 Baillie I 157.
Since that tyme, he hes lived verie privatlie, miskent by all 1654 Rep. Maxwell-Stuart Mun. 29. 1665 Laing MSS I 347.
Many of thame wer desyrous I sould wryte privatly to your lordship
3. In a manner affecting an individual directly; personally.1562-3 Winȝet I 16/23.
Certane articulis … quhairin specialie we war offendit, and that priuatlie
