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: 1438, 1499-1513, 1567-1654
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Swiftly, -lie, adv. Also: swyftly, -lie, suiftlie, suyftlie, suoftlie, swyfly. [ME and e.m.E. swiftliche (a1225), swiftly (Chaucer), swyftly (1447), also swiflich (a1325), swifli (c1350); Swift adj. (adv.).] Speedily, rapidly; without hesitation, promptly.(a) ?1438 Alex. i 1027.
Quhen the bretheris speris failȝit, thair swordis swyftly out thai swyng a1500 Golagros and Gawane 380.
Syne thay sought to the chalmer, swiftly and swith a1500 Taill of Rauf Coilȝear 949.
Thay swoir on thair swordis swyftlie all thre a1500 Buke of the Sevyne Sagis 910.
Swiftlie drewe the son his sword And of his faderis hed strake he 1513 Doug. xii xii 130.
To weild hys kne maid sum impediment, That he mycht nocht braid swiftly our the bent 1567 Gude and Godlie Ballatis 82.
Quha suld … solace swyftlie to me send … Bot God 1567 Tyrie in Cath. Tr. 12/9.
And suyftlie gif ye … schaw me the successioun of his kirk sen Christ, and by that, aggre the manifest contradictioun … of your new doctrine, I sall … renunce the sentence 1567 Satirical Poems iii 29.
Dartis about him swyftlie could he fling a1578 Pitsc. I 229/29.
The Scoittismen … come swiftly avindwart wpoun Captane Stewin Bull c1590 J. Stewart 220 § 80.
As pinglit horse most suyftlie dois contend 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 185/682.
If these passionis … Uoulde suiftlie pass auay as doth a glauncing lichning cleir c1650 Spalding I 306.
Scho tuke no anker, bot swiftlie saillit about the nvke touardis Montross c1641–54 J. Gordon in Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II 512.
The river … is impetuous and falling throch rogh ground, runneth swyfly(b) a1578 Pitsc. I 319/28.
The kingis serwandis … raid suoftlie throw the feild to saif all freindis
