A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1399-1420, 1499-1599
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Ferly, Ferlie, a. Also: ferlye. [ME. ferly, ferli (a 1300), ON.ferlig-r, monstrous, dreadful. Cf. Farly a.] Marvellous, wonderful, strange.a1400 Legends of the Saints ii. 76.
All wonderit war … His ferly warkis that mycht here a1400 Ib. xi. 30.
Of thé I haf hard ferly thing c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 204.
A ferly token of the heven Inne-to it doune descended even c1420 Wynt. vi. 1902.
Gottyne he wes on ferly wys a1500 Henr. Fab. 1722.
Of small birdis thair come ane ferlie flicht 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. Prol. xiv.
Tho in my sweuen I met a ferly cace c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 323.
And eik, this is a ferly thing 1533 Boece x. iv. 354.
Ane ferlie takin was sene abone the campe 15.. Clariodus v. 2241.
Him to behold it was ane ferlie sight
