A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Singly, -ie, adv. Also: singalie. [ME sengli (a1300), senglely (Manning), syngnlelie (c1440), e.m.E. singilly (1526), singly (1548); Singil(l adj.]
1. Simply, without any more.1579 Reg. Privy C. III 127.
The said capitane being in the menetyme singalie accumpanȝit with ane servand 1583 Glasgow B. Rec. I 103.
We being in ane bark of Renfrew purposit to the fischeing of Lochefewle, soberlie and singlie equippagit
2. Only; merely.1605-6 Welsh Forty-eight Serm. 356.
Ye would not swear … but singly say, ‘This I gaue for it, and this I will haue again’ a1652 Dickson Psalms II 103/4.
Whether we look upon that work in the type singly, or as it is a representation or pawne of the spiritual delivery of his people a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 41.
This were a great consolation, if we would singly make use of it
3. Honestly, sincerely.1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 175.
Set yourselves singly to seek the Lord and His face a1658 Durham Blessedness Death (1682) 39.
Some things of such concernment to us that if we go suteably, seriously and singly about them [etc] c1705 Nimmo Narr. 29.
[That] our affectiones might be singlie knutt to gither in the love of God in Christ
