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.
Quotation dates: 1438-1599
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Soft, adv. [ME and e.m.E. softe (Layamon), soft (Cursor M.), OE sōfte.] Softly, in various senses.
1. Modifying verbs of speaking, etc.: Not loudly, quietly; gently. ?1438 Alex. ii 556.
Speke softer and be not sa bald! c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 27/71.
Comparisone … cryit furth, I ȝow requeir Soft and fair and do favour And tak to ȝow the presoneir
2. In a gentle manner; with easy movement; in a leisurely or unhurried fashion; peacefully. 1460 Hay Alex. 2393.
Than Alexander … laid him soft one ane hors littere And brocht him to the pallace 1513 Doug. v iv 108.
As the dow … discendis soft and fair Not byssy weyngyt bot planand esyly 1513 Doug. vii i 12.
Tybir flowand soft and esely 1513 Doug. ix iii 203.
Thai walk and romys still and soft 15.. Clariodus ii 1375.
Now braiding in his dreime … Now slumbering soft a1568 Bannatyne MS 157b/25.
Troll hasart of the trace he trottis on soft
3. In a comfortable or luxurious fashion, as by reclining on a soft couch or bed or the like. a1500 Prestis of Peblis 9 (Ch.).
Into ane priuie place … Quhair that thay sat richt soft and vnfutesair … Thay sat ful easilie and soft 1490 Irland Mir. III 141/36.
The noblis of our tyme ar mynȝeounis & diligat thai mone … ly and sleip soft 1513 Doug. i ii 46.
Jupiter … ful soft Causis me feist amang the goddis at rest 1535 Stewart 25948.
Ane bed quhair that he la full soft
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"Soft adv.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/soft_adv>
