A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Strickly, -lie, Striktlie, adv. Also: strictly, -lie, strickely, stricclie, strekly. [e.m.E. strictly (1487), strictlie (1597), stricktly (1641); Stri(c)k adj.]
1. ? Close up against, right beside (be) (something).c1475 Wall. ix 130 (McD.).
Luk at thow stand strekly be this tre [sc. ship's mast], Quhen thai bid stryk, to service be thow bane
2. With verbs of behaving, acting, observing, etc.: With strict adherence to the mode of behaviour implied by the verb.1562-3 Winȝet I 126/19.
Thai fastit … maist strictlie, nocht only … fra flesche, bot fra wynis and al weill nurissing meitis and drinkis 1627 Falkirk Par. Rec. I 59.
[They were] … inactit under the paine of x. lib. to keip stricclie in tyme cuming 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 274.
He sequestrates himself more strickly than ever from all worldly affaires 1693 Banff Ann. II 63.
He is rebuked and ordered mor strickly to observe the Sabbath Day 1695 Arch. Scot. I 556.
This [regulation] ye are strickly to advert to, as ye will be answerable
3. With the greatest care and attention to detail; efficiently; narrowly, closely.1627–8 Red Bk. Menteith II 75.
If materis be not mor strictly lookt to 1632 Lithgow Trav. ix 390.
[He] sent a guide with me … to view the mountayne more strictly 1640 Aberd. Council Lett. II 196.
Both the shyres and burrowis goes on most stricklie in thair stenting 1646 Hamilton P. (Camden Soc.) 140.
I heare that yesternight an order from thence made the guards about the king be strictlyer posed then they haue been hetherto 1673 Inverness Presb. 42.
Bessie Dean … was stricklie examined who was the father of her present child 1695 Glasg. Univ. Mun. II 523.
That att the tyme of lawreation the students be strictlie examined
4. Of commanding, prohibiting, obliging, etc.: Firmly, stringently; with insistence on exact performance or obedience.1648 Laing MSS 241.
And being stricklie tied thereunto in conscience of the oath of God upon us 1651 Strathbogie Presb. 194.
That he should be takne strickely obleiged to giue obedience unto their determination in everie thing 1661 Aberd. Council Lett. IV 156.
That they advert strictly to punishing of interlowpers and unfrie traders 1670 Cullen Kirk S. 23 Oct.
They were stricklie inhibit to converse together 1671 Inverness Rec. II 249.
They heirby enact and stricklie oblidges the quholl counsell 1675 Inverness Presb. 121.
Discharging stricklie all … sports, lyksongs, fidling, and dancing [at lyke-wakes] 1687 Shields Hind Let Loose 40.
Princes must not be strickly bound to keep their promises 1691 Conv. Burghs IV 134.
The convention … does … strickly prohibit and discharge the burgesses of free royall burghs to fraught and hyre any ships … belonging to … vnfree places
5. Of confining, imprisoning: Securely; under close watch.1668 Lorimer St. Cuthbert's 149.
We … recommend him to be strickly keepe in prisone till he be presented by on James Dunn serjant to the castle of Edinburgh
6. With exact use of words; exactly, precisely.1662 Crim. Trials III 610.
And said the forsaidis wordis thryse ower to the Divell, striktlie, against Maister Harie Forbes [his recowering from the said seiknes]
