A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Tragical(l, adj. [e.m.E. tragicall (Caxton), f. as Tragi(c)k adj.] Of the nature of tragedy, dreadful, terrible. b. specif. With allusion to the theatrical sense.1572 Sat. P. xxxvi 32.
That loving lord … Deservit rather immortalitie Then to haue had ane end so tragicall 1585 James VI Ess. 76/6.
Gif your purpose be of tragicall materis, to use lamentable wordis a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 25.
This joyfull libertie was suddanlie convertit to a tragicall captivitie 1591–2 Warrender P. (SHS) II 167.
That tragicall execution a1650 Row 119.
They be brought (in God's righteous judgment) at last to some tragicall and miserable end 1679 J. Gordon The Reformed Bishop 115.
Tragicalb. 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 70.
Mening not to faill in playing hir part, quhile Bothwell is in prepairing the tragicall stage for the murther
