A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Wichtly, Wychtly, adv. Also: wichtlie, -lye, -ely, -ilie, wychtlie, wightly, wyghtly. [ME and e.m.E. wightli (Cursor M.), wightly (Manning), wyȝtly (14th c.), wyghtly (c1500).] Courageously, bravely, boldly; vigorously, energetically.(a) a1400 Leg. S. xxxvii 283.
A roste yrne wes mad bone, & one that gret fyre syne laid done, & he on it wichtly wane; & bath wes bralit & brynt than c1400 Troy-bk. ii 2186.
Thire two kynges tuke purpos … That thai wald … With armed honde richt michtely, To fecht and wyn thare lond wichtly c1450 Cr. Deyng (STS) 56.
How wychtly thai sustenyt al tormentis and passionys done to thaim for the faith of haly kyrke c1450-2 Howlat 576 (A).
The landis of Lawdir and lordschipis sere … the Dowglas … Wan wichtly of weir a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 579.
Gaudifeir gat vp agane … Abone him wichtely he wan, With the craft that he can a1500 Henr. Fab. 553.
As fyre off flint thay ouer the feildis flaw; Full wichtlie [H. wichtilie, Bann. wichtlye] thay throw wood and wateris went c1475 Wall. iii 183.
Wallace … ratornde agayne Hym to reskew, till that he rais off payne; Wichtly him wor, quhill he a suerd had tayne a1500 Colk. Sow i 454.
He faucht wichtly with wad And with Melliager mad ?a1500 Steel Roy Robert 132.
Williame Wallace … Wichtlie reskewit ws thrys 1513 Doug. v i 29 (Sm.).
Commandis he every feir Do red thair takillis … And wychtly als thair airis wp to haill 1529 Lynd. Complaynt 179.
Sum … Wald ryid to Leith, and ryn thare horssis, And wychtlie wallope ouer the sandis; ȝe, nother sparit spurris nor wandis 1533 Boece 299b.
Ane walit cumpanye … entering, chasit the wachis and garrisoun, and wichtlie wan the wallis 1535 Stewart 49672.
The toun of Perth … Wichtlie he wan c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 582.
The squyer tuik his leue … Than wichtlie on his hors he wan(b) a1500 Sir Eger 61.
He groned sore and fell in sown. Sir Grahame agast, and wightly raise, And goes to him 1513 Doug. xi Prol. 64.
To stand wightly, and feght in the forfront 1513 Doug. ix vii 140 (Sm.).
The swerd wyghtly slokit … Throu owt hys cost … That mylk quhyte breist is persyt to the hart
