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: 1499-1590
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Pur(e)ly, -lie, Puir-, adv.2 and adj. Also: pwre-, peur- and -lye. [ME porliche (14th c.), e.m.E. poorely (1525), ME and e.m.E. also pourelike (Havelok), -ly, f. Pur(e adj.2 1 and 4.] Poorly.
1. adv. In an impoverished state or manner, in poverty; in the manner of a poor or needy person, wretchedly, ignominiously, abjectly. b. In an ineffectual manner, uselessly, badly; in the manner of one poor in health or strength, feebly.a1500 King Hart 234.
Richt thair king Hairt he wes in handis tane And puirlie wes he present to the quene a1500 Prestis of Peblis 185 (Asl.).
Thar faderis purely can begyn With hap and halfpenny & a lam skyn a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 465.
Man, … now behald, how purelie that he deis a1508 Ib. 1211.
So purlie hing quhen he his maister saw c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4718.
Howbeit that he be purelye cled 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 9731.
Alexander … as he micht, purelie put on his clais c1590 Fowler I 68/24.
That thair I saw agane Lowe in habit naked, spoyld, so pwrelie thair remaneb. c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 135.
And thoght his pen purly me payis in bed, His purse pays richely in recompense efter a1568 Peder Coffeis 23.
Peipand peurly with peteous granis
2. adj. Poor, not rich. = Pur(e adj.2 1.1565–6 Criminal Trials I i 472.
Nor to infer the defendar, expreslie being ane purelye man, nader wes comprehendit vnder the proclamatioune [etc.]