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.
Wittan(d)ly, -ie, Wittinglie, adv. Also: wittandlye, vittandly, wittendly, wytandly. [ME and e.m.E. witandly (Rolle), witendely (Wyclif), wettanly (c1425), wetingly (1535), wittingly (1583).] a. Cleverly, skilfully. b. Knowingly, deliberately.a. 1375 Barb. xi 594 (C).
Thame that fechtand weir That thame defendit so vittandly [E. wittily] That thair fayis had gret ferly ?1438 Alex. ii 2346.
Scho was wyse … And wittandly couth couer hir will [F. Si s'en sot bien couvrir tant que a celle fie]b. 14.. Burgh Laws c. 76 (B).
Gyf ony man wytandly do falshede in mesure or wecht [etc.] c1475 Wall. xi 871.
Nocht wittandly his falowis was him fra 1490 Irland Mir. III 85/1.
Kyrkmen that ministeris thir haly sacramentis in syn wittendly offendis God 1501–2 Edinb. B. Rec. I 94.
I, Mergret … wittandlie and of deliberat mynd … contractis matrimone c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 13/21.
Thow art not abill remissioun for to get, Wittandlie and thou ane syn forȝet 1525 St. P. Henry VIII IV 418.
Togither with thair part takaris, … wittandlie [St. A. Formulare I 269, wittandlye] 1535 Acts II 347/2.
That na … man … wilfullie or wittandlie ressett … rebellis a1538 Abell 3*b.
Wittanly 1551–2 Acts II 485/2.
Wittanlie(b) 1551 Hamilton Cat. 45.
Thai that … do … thingis wittinglie agane the command of God, for feir of thair king 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Disclamation.
It is necessar that the vassall or tennent denie fraudfully, that is wittinglie 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i 12b.
Assisours sall sweare, that … they sall nocht laine nor conceale the trueth wittinglie
