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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.

Gretly, adv. Also: -le, -lie, -lye. [ME. gretly, -li, -liche (c 1200), f. Gret a. Cf. Gretely.] Greatly, to a great extent, in a great degree. 1375 Barb. i. 382.
He wes nocht sa fayr, that we Suld spek gretly off his beaute Ib. v. 576 (E).
That awaillyt hym gretle ther Ib. xv. 535.
He so gretly dred was than a1400 Leg. S. v. 71.
Drusiane … That quhylum gretly luffit thé 1405 James of Douglas Letter to Henry IV in Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 59.
Yhu mervalis gretly that my men … has byrnde the toun of Berwike c1420 Wynt. vi. 298.
He spendyd sa fast … , That hys gold begouth gretly to fayle Ib. viii. 6793.
The Frenche men ware prysit gretly c1420 Ratis R. 426.
Temperans … A wertew gretly till alow 1490 Irland Mir. l. 122/23.
Dame Pes, that lauborit sa gretly in the concord of the hevinly wertuis 1492 Myll Spect. 272/19.
A ȝoung squyar that was to gretly amorus 1513 Doug. i. iii. 56.
Neptune … Gretly commovit, out of the sey gan stair 1571 Sat. P. xxix. 1.
First quhen the newis begouthe to ryse, gretly thai maid me wondre 1596 Dalr. I. 39/26.
Ane foul … that gretlie abhoris the presens of man