A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1420, 1657-1686
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(Smothly,) Smouthlie, Smeth(e)ly, adv. Also: smowthlie, smoothly, smeuthly. [ME smoþely (14th c.), e.m.E. smothely (Caxton), smoothly (1592), smothly (1594), smouthly (1668); Smoth adj.] a. Blandly, mildly, in a conciliatory or persuasive manner. b. So as to leave a smooth or even surface. —a. c1420 Wynt. viii 5274.
And he, as burdand, sayd smethely, ‘Man, will thow have off me justyng?’ a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 221.
Speak most smoothly to them, without riping up any thing of their wounds 1686 G. Stuart Joco-Ser. Disc. 39.
They caper'd not, but smeuthly jimm'd —b. 1661 Criminal Trials III 195.
Ther was ane great lumpe of flesh taken out of his cheik, so smowthlie [Black Sc. Witches 35, smouthlie] as no rasor in the world cowld have made so ticht ane incisioune wpon flesh or cheis
