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.
Slawly(e, -lie, adv. Also: slau(e)lie, slo(w)ly, -lie. [Early and north. ME slawliche (c1200), slawly (Rolle), midl. and south. ME and e.m.E. slowli(che (Wyclif), slowly (1526); Slaw adj.] a. Slowly, at a (too) slow pace, sluggishly; in a manner lacking energy or fervour; in a reluctant or recalcitrant fashion. Freq. with pejorative implication.(a) c1420 Wynt. vii 891.
He … argwyd hym rycht scharply That he furtheryd oure slawly His cwnnand 1533 Bell. Livy II 135/25.
The sege continewit mare slaulie in the secund ȝere than it did in the first 1533 Boece 262.
Britons debating mare slaulie … than efferit vailȝeand men a1538 Abell 110a.
Consall of Basill gathirit be auctorite of the paip bot slawlie 1562-3 Winȝet II 60/34.
That afore wes precheit slawlie, … eftir to be precheit mair feruentlie 1573 Cath. Tr. 8/35.
To distrack the readars intentioun … that he neuer perseaue it quhilk is in controuersie nor quhou slaulie he ansueris thairto c1590 Fowler II 157/38.
Some proceideth thairto slawlye and with respect, others with rashnes a1599 Rollock Wks. I 408.
And quhen the doctrine is nocht weill accepted, then gangis the building slawlie fordward a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xvii 22.
At Daphne slaulie doun he [sc. Cupid] sent [an arrow](b) ?1614 Melrose P. I 137.
The money … is cum slowlie in be the pouertie of the tenentis 1621 Highland P. III 310.
His ansuer cam slolie 1636 Sutherland Bk. II 166.
Thir winds makes the grasse bracke out exceiding sloly 1685-8 Renwick Serm. 278.
Carrying on the same slowly and lently to our apprehensions
b. specif. Of the speed of movement: Slowly, not rapidly.c1520-c1535 Nisbet Acts xxvii 7.
In mony dais we sailit slawlie [P. slowli] 1596 Dalr. II 315/7.
That being far behind followit the rest slawlie 1603 Moysie 115.
The lord Vchiltrie [etc.] … went theare way … purpoislie to draw the lord Home … from his majestie … and to that effect went forduard werie slauelie(b) 1672 Sinclair Hydrostaticks 105, etc.
The reason, why a bullet six inches in diameter, moves slowlier thorow the air, shot from a cannon, than a bullet one inch diameter
