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.
Volubilitie, -ye, n. [e.m.E. volubilitie (1579), F. volubilité, L. volūbilitās.] a. Circular motion. b. Change, alteration or inconstancy. —a. 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 150/6.
By reiding of authentike histories … ye sall learne experience be theorike aplying the bypaste things to the present estate … sicc is the contineuall uolubilitie of things earthlie according to the roundnes of the uarlde & uolubilitie of the heauinlie circles quhiche is expressid be the quheillis in Ezechiels uision & counterfitted by the poettis in rota fortunæ —b. 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 150/5 (see a above). 1607 Reg. Privy C. VII 299.
Sum of the prisbitereis being too muche addicted to this anarchie … in the estaite of the churche … will refuise … suche ane constant moderatour … rather wishing a continewing volubilitie than any setled and constant forme of governament in the churche … Frome oure palace of Quhythall 1607 Lett. Eccl. Affairs I 379.
By the mischeant inconstancye and volubilitye of some
