A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1549-1679
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(Unmercyfully,) Unmercyfullie, adv. Also: unmercifully, -ie, -merciefullie, onmercifully. [e.m.E. vnmercifully (1548); Mercyfully adv.] Unmercifully, mercilessly. = Unmercieleslie adv. —(a) 1558-66 Knox I 109.
That he wold not do so foolishlie and inhonestlye, yea, so cruelly and unmercyfullie to the realme of Scotland 1584 Acts III 305/1.
Maist vyldlie vnmercifullie and treasounablie [thai] slew and murtherit him a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1804) 7.
[They] harlit him unmerciefullie to another chalmer and thair murderest him 1630 Orkney Bishopric Court Book MS 74.
The fornemitt persounes … vnmercifullie skourgit … the said Edward with leaches, leasis and beltis 1679 Wodrow MSS XXXVII No. 65.
Unmercifully —(b) 1549 Complaynte of Scotland 124/9.
Arrage, carage, taxationis, violent spulȝe and al vthyr sortis of aduersite quhilk is onmercifully exsecut daly
