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.
Quotation dates: 1569-1596
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Van(e)lie, Vainelie, Wainlie, adv. [ME and e.m.E. veynly (Wyclif), vaynly (Trevisa), veinly (c1450), vainly (1548).] Vainly, foolishly, thoughtlessly; in a conceited or futile manner. — a1570-86 Maitland in Maitland Folio MS 299/65.
Sum will spend mair … In spyce and droigis on ane day Nor wald thair moderis in a ȝeir … thai sa vanelie waist thair geir a1570-86 Maitland in Maitland Folio MS 299/70.
Vanlie a1570-86 Maitland in Maitland Folio MS 445/22.
Gif thow will vs na prodigalitie And wainlie weist the rentis of thi croun 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 144.
Thair is left no place of doubt, as vainelie and lieinglie thow waldis pretend 1596 Dalr. I 101/29.
Nathir haue thay nochtwithstandeng, now vanelie fallin frome the faith of the Catholik kirk
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"Vanlie adv.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/vanelie>
