A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1558-1680
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Sclenderly, -lie, Slenderly, -lie, adv. Also: sclendirlie, sklendarlie, sklenderlie; sclindirlie; slanderlie. [e.m.E. sklenderly (a1513), slenderlye (1533); Sclender adj.]
1. To a small extent; scantily; slightly.(a) 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 172/17.
That the Lorde God hes moir sclendirlie furthschawin his benevolence, mercy, and grace to thais [sc. Christians] … nor he did to the Jewis 1563 G. Hay Confutation Abbot Crosraguel 84.
Sclenderlie 1583 Maxwell Mem. II 153.
I haue ressauit of ȝow mony fair promisses … and bot sclindirlie kepit(b) 1602 Bk. Univ. Kirk III 986.
The visitors hes not exactlie tryed the lyfe, doctrine, and conversatioun of every minister at his awin kirk … but nakedlie and slanderlie be a generall view at the Synodall Assemblies a1634 Forbes Rec. 405.
To all who are never so slenderlie acquaint with that matter
b. With little care or attention; perfunctorily.1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 169/4.
Disponand oure selfis onto the godlie table, lat vs nocht luke sclendirlie apon the breid and coupe set befoir vs, bot lat vs lift vp our mynd be fayth 1561 Id. Oratioune 16.
The wourdis … quhilkis ar sa sclenderly lukit onne be thir new evangelistis 1568 Lyndesay Pref. (STS) 402.
The importing of greit quantiteis of fals cunȝe [is] sklenderlie serchit, and lychtliar punischit
2. (Accompanied) by few people.(a) 1558-66 Knox I 350.
Who than war thare verrie sklendarlie accompanyed 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 19.
Mortoune was in the toun befoir, accompanied but sklenderlie 1591 Cal. Sc. P. X 542.
Now the king is past to Kellso verrie sklenderlie accompaneit 1639 Baillie I 205.
While our noblemen are besiegeing some of the enemies castles, they see themselves sclenderlie backed(b) 1568 Buch. Indict. 33.
The king … being sent in halking to Pebills, slenderlie accumpaneit
3. Delicately; gently.1643 Misc. Abbotsf. C. 176.
Shoe took him by the hand verie slenderlie
4. Weakly, feebly; ? ungraciously.c1680 W. Row Blair 364.
The moderator thanked him as slenderly and wershlie as before
