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.
Semely, adv. Also: semelye, sem(e)lie, sembly, seamelie, seymly. [ME and e.m.E. semelike (c1250), semele, semili (both Cursor M.), semely (Manning), semly (c1350), semeely, semyly (both Chaucer), semeliche (Trevisa), seemlier compar. (1594), seemly (1643), ON sæmiliga honourably, becomingly, handsomely; Semely adj.] In a pleasing or fitting manner; pleasantly; handsomely; decorously. b. Prob. erron. for semply (Simpilly adv. 3 a).c1400 Troy-bk. i 289.
The strete That was to see one fare & suete, One baith the sydys so sembly maid [L. laudabili composicione], Levalyt in lyk, with frountys braid c1450-2 Howlat 671 (A).
A palace of pryce … Sylit semely with silk suthly to say c1450-2 Howlat 694 (A).
All war … seruit semely … With all curis of cost that cukis couth kyth c1450-2 Howlat 890 (A).
Ilk foule of his flicht a fedder has tane And lent to the howlat … Dame Natur … For to ferme this federem … Gart it ground and growe gayly agane On the samyn howlat semely & sone a1500 Rauf C. 459.
That tenefull … Semelie schapin and schroud in that scheild schene a1500 Rauf C. 666.
The hall … was semely set on ilk syde seir a1500 K. Hart 3.
King Hart in to his cumlie castell strang … So semlie wes he set his folk amang That he no dout had of misaventure c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 68.
My self suld be full semlie in silkis arrayit 15.. Clar. v 1550.
They enterit all togidder right seamelie Into the chalmer of Meliades a1568 Bann. MS 229a/14.
The sone schyne our the schawis schene Full semely me besydb. c1420 Wynt. vii 1660 (C) (see Simpilly adv. 3 a).
