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.
Quotation dates: 1375-1580
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Suthfastly, adv. Also: suthtfastly, suthfastli(e, -faslie, suthefastli, sutfastly, suithfastlie, suythfastly(e, soothfastly. [ME and e.m.E. soþfasstlike (Orm), sothfastli (Cursor M.), sothfastly (Rolle), soothfastly (a1555); f. Suthfastadj.] In truth, truthfully, truly; certainly, without doubt.Freq. as a mere intensifier, and common in legal terminology.(a) 1375 Barb. iv 328.
How mycht he trastly on hym cry, That suthfastly demys all thing? a1400 Legends of the Saints xxxvi 214.
Johne wes man anerly & Crist God & man wes, suthfastly 1385 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 7.
Jon askyt me wes that the conclucyoun of myne ordenans to the qwhylk askyng I the forsayde Androw for suth answeryt that suthfastly yha 1424 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 14.
Suthefastli yhoure excellence micht herin haue chargit vs in alsfer as we ar of pouere 1437 Reg. Panmure II 230.
To yhour universite suthfastli I mak knawin that … dame Jehan Berclay … was ful systir til the last scher Dauid Berclay 1437 Fam. Seton MS 6 June.
Suthfastli 1460 Hay Alex. 1099.
I pray thé tell me suthfaslie Quhaire thow was born c1460 Thewis Wysmen 467.
For haly vryt sais suthfastly That wysdome aire is to foly 1464 Proceedings of Society of Antiquaries XVII 316.
This to al and sindri quhom it aferis I mak suthfastly knaw and beris witnes be thir present lettres a1568 Bannatyne MS 26b/70.
He hes spokin and suthfastly behecht To our faderis that we haif had befoir … That his mercy sall lest for evirmoir c1550-c1580 Art of Music 8b.
The tabill forwritin beand suthtfastly signat, now it restis to schew quhow [etc.](b) 1538 Criminal Trials I i 207.
I ame alluterly hereit and distroyit in my gudis, throcht my expensis sutfastly making in ward(c) 1460 Hay Alex. 19297.
Suithfastlie thair mycht na guide be done Bot giue the grace cum fra the hevin abone 1502 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 657.
Sa at it [is] suythfastlye & notarly knawyn 1513 Doug. xiii Prol. 92.
Bot suythfastly, gyf I haue perfyte sycht, Onto my doym, I saw ȝou nevir ayr(d) c1400 Troy-bk. ii 455 (D).
Thay perseywed … By the furst token soothfastly [L. vere] … That thai mycht notht kendle the fyre
b. In accordance with justice; justly, fairly. c1460 Regimine Principum 241 (Marchm.).
The man is blist that dois [baith] dome and law Quhilk quhen he giffis a sentence suthfastly Gerris execute for ony mannis aw
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