A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1560-1579
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(Subtilnes,) Subtelnes, n. Also: suttelness, sittelness. [ME sotilnes (Trevisa), sotelnes (c1430), later appar. only Sc. until the 19th c.; Subtil(l adj.] Cunning, craftiness, = Subtilté n. 1. —1560 Rolland Seven Sages 663.
Becaus … this emprice did persaue Na kynd of childe scho was able to haue Scho turnit hir saillis vnto ane vther wind Quhair that scho micht sum suttelnes gar find 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 5458.
Fals flatterie maid him sa blind, Sic gold and treasure thay suld find, throw subtelnes That thay sa said 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 8166.
Of the falset, and the greit subtelnes Of this rebald a1568 Scott xxix 17.
Thair hairtis ar sett with sittelnes, For loif and not for lufe 1579 Despauter (1579).
Argutiae, nochtie subtelnes
