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.
Properly, Propirly, -lie, adv. Also: propyr-, propre-, propper- and -lye. [ME and e.m.E. propirly (Rolle), -yrly, -rely, -erly, earlier propreliche (Ancr. R.), f. Proper adj.] Properly, in various usual senses.
1. (Belonging to one) as one's personal or private property; as one's own.1456 Hay I 253/18.
And the realme of Napples is haldin properly of the pape … as of the verray patrimmoyne of the pape 1537 Liber Dryburgh 281.
Landes properlie belonging to the king 1580 Reg. Privy S. VII 429/1.
Of the kirkis pertenyng propirlie to the said abbacy 1630 Edinb. B. Rec. VII 67.
Mylne landis and dammes properlie belonging to the guid toun a1686 Turner Mem. 150.
That not any thing belongd properlie to myselfe, sould be imbecelled
2. Exclusively, peculiarly; particularly, specially; distinctively. b. Individually; severally; by itself or themselves.c1420 Wynt. v 4830.
The purificatyowne of Mary, Clengyng that is propyrly Off wemen 1456 Hay I 107/23.
The quhilkis obeyis nocht to the emperour, but properly to the pape Ib. II 65/18.
That all princis … suld be mare curious of the commoun prouffit na of thair awin propre gudis … for … gude propre gudis [enriches] bot a persone properly c1460 Thewis Wysmen 302.
It is nocht anerly Spedful that ȝong men proprely Hawe knawlege of wysmenis thewis, Bot als of fulys c1490 Porteous Noblenes 173/8 (Asl.).
To him mast properlie it pertenis to haf … schame to do ewill wyce 1531 Vaus (1531) ii.
Ane nowne [is] ane part of orisone … betakenand body or thing, propirly or commonly 1596 Dalr. I 19/11.
A certane schort and bare grase, quhairin scheip properlie delytesb. c1420 Wynt. vi 121.
That all examynatyowne Off thai persowyns propyrly The kyrk suld hawe in gret party c1460 Thewis Wysmen 316.
Of al taknis of foly That may be knawin proprely … The principall is ignorans a1500 Rauf C. 863.
Thay preis furth properly thair pithis to prufe
3. In accordance with reality; in reality; accurately; precisely. b. In conformity with rule; normally.a1400 Leg. S. xi 69.
He send til hyme thane a paynteore … To paynt his fygur propirly Ib. xxxvi 882.
A-pon the autere scho saw ly As a thoume-bane propirly c1420 Wynt. v 1701.
It wes persayvyt … That scho wes woman propyrly c1460 Thewis Wysmen 287.
The well of visdome proprely Ys … luf God soueranly c1460 Vert. Mess 72.
The mes is als worthi as the self ded … of Cryst quhen it was done of deid proprely 1513 Doug. viii x 79.
For Vlcanus … The valȝeand dedis of Italyanys [etc.] … Had tharin porturat properly and graveb. (1) c1420 Wynt. v 1490.
He made and ordanyt the clergy Dystynct be greis propyrly 1630 Stirling B. Rec. I 165.
James Henrye … to enter with the said hammermen and thair craft to quhom … he properlie pertenis Ib.
That the said John Henrye, beltmaker, aucht properlie to enter with the hammermen(2) 1580 Exch. R. XXI 548.
The allegit compt … aucht to be cognoscit … befoir the lordis of chaker, to quhome the samin properlie appertenis 1590 Conv. Burghs I 340.
Caussis … propirlye belonging to the prouest and bailles of burrowes 1662 Acts VII 372/2.
As the … disposall of the … policie of the church doth propperlie belong vnto his maiestie
4. With reference to the way something is defined, named or expressed: Strictly or correctly speaking; literally, not figuratively; in the proper sense; in literal translation.(1) 1375 Barb. iii 514.
It wes na greting propyrly c1420 Wynt. i 1010.
Syne is a land cald Albany, That qwhyt betakynnys propirly Ib. v 4852. 1456 Hay I 298/1.
Men sais that the King of Navarre is nocht properly king … for he has bot a citee in his contree 1490 Irland Mir. II 26/19.
The discens suld nocht be wnderstandin properly bot be similitud 1562-3 Winȝet II 19/11.
For that is treulie and properlie catholik … quhilk … vniuersalie comprehendis all 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 71.
It cannot be called a seal, properlie, except it be hanging at ane evident(2) c1420 Wynt. ii 1243.
Yppocentawrys … That is to say propyrly Bath hors and man in a body 1494 Loutfut MS 10 b.
To spek propirly thair is bot ii colouris 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 154/35.
For we call no thing propirlie the mes bot [etc.] 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Culrach. 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. iv.
Out of whose lare onely we may properly be saide to rise
5. Thoroughly; completely.c1420 Wynt. v Prol. 12.
Tyll it wes stuffyd plentwsly And kyrnelyd abowt propyrly 1456 Hay II 6/26.
Sa that he become properly in the samyn … wildernes 14.. Edinb. Univ. MS La. 318/Div. ii.
God forbedis That ony man … With his wif dele quhen that sche wate That sche is propirly in sic state
6. In a goodly manner; finely, excellently. b. Fittingly.c1420 Wynt. iv 274.
That chymys was … At all poynt byggid propirly a1500 Rauf C. 467.
His plaitis properlie picht attour with precious stanis Ib. 664. c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus i 85.
Weill wrocht & properlie Circumferat with stanis subtellie a1585 Maitl. Q. lxix 44. 1580 Hume Promine 99.
Into the park did properlie appeir … The wilde quhite cullourit kyb. 1666 S. Ronaldshay 53.
Ane broad … for gathering of the collectiones for the kirk as propperly in tyme coming
