A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1456-1475, 1533-1550
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(Lichtly,) Lichtlie, a. Also: lych(t)ly, -lie. [ME. lightly, -li, lihtlic(h, slight, contemptible, easy to persuade, also contemptuous, OE. léohtlic trifling, f. léoht Licht a.1] a. Slighting, contemptuous, scornful. b. Frivolous, wanton.a. 1456 Hay II. 99/5.
He suld ger inquere gyf it be done in playing or disporting, or othir wayis in lychtly contempt of ony persone nocht in felouny, and sa suld it be punyst c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace vi. 130.
He had off lychly wourdis ynew c1475 Ib. viii. 51.
His lychtly scorn 1533 Gau 15/9.
That is, ony lichtlie takine of ir quhilk men wsis to schaw 1533 Boece iv. ii. 545 b.
Edwerd … reiecting him [Bruce] with ane lichtlie worde 1535 Stewart 46211.
For ȝour speiking so proude, Or lichtlie langage bayth lawage and loudeb. c1550 Rolland Court of Venus i. 594.
Lufe is lichtlie and lufe is lecherous
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"Lichtly adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/lichtly_adj>
