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: 1569-1632
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Promptly, -lie, Promplie, adv. compar. promptlier. [e.m.E. prompt(e)ly (Caxton).] Readily, quickly and easily. — a1570-86 Maitland Folio MS clxx 196.
Be mirrie for His marcie manifest Promplie a perfyt plesour dois pretend a1570-86 J. Maitland Maitland Folio MS lxxxviii 71.
Promptlie 1596 Dalr. II 111/25.
To moue him the promptlier to supplie 1587-99 Hume 20/102.
I wonder at the wit of man … That all things speedefull for his vse, he promplie can deuise a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 397.
And becaus his palice of Halyruidhous was not so promptlie and pertenentlie apperlit as reason wald, … the Lord Secretarie was directed to desyre his majestie to prolong his voyage hither till [etc.] 1632 Lithgow Trav. vi 244.
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"Promptly adv.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/promptly>
