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: 1568
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(Thefely,) Theiflie, adv. [ME and e.m.E. þeofliche (c1290), theuelich (Piers Plowman), theefli (Wyclif), theefly (Caxton).] By stealth, furtively. Cf. Thift(e)ly adv. — 1568 Skeyne Descr. Pest 4.
Ane fevir mast wikit quietlie & theiflie strikis the patient
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"Thefely adv.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/thefely>
