A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1399-1682
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Michtily, adv. Also: michtil(l)ie, -ely(e, -el(l)ie, michely, mechtillie, mychtilie, -yly, -ely, -(t)elie, mychtlie, mightil(l)ie, -ely, -el(l)ie. [ME. mightily, myghtily, OE. mihtiᵹlíce: cf. Michtlie.]
1. In a mighty manner, with great strength or force; strongly, doughtily, vigorously. c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 2106.
Assandrus also Passed … Aganis the Troyens michtely c1420 Wynt. v. 4456.
Zeno send hym till Ytaly Wyth hys awyne Gottys mychtyly 1513 Doug. x. x. 24.
The tother … Buyr at hym mychtyly with a lang speir c1500-c1512 Dunb. liv. 17.
Quhai for hir saik … Preiffis maist mychtelye in the feld 1533 Boece xii. ii. 456 b.
Sweno … mychtely with thame halit [etc.] 1562-3 Winȝet II. 6/28.
The forcie … strake, quhilk he richt michtelie oft doublis aganis al sawaris of discord 1596 Dalr. II. 6/2.
Mychtilie thay meit, fercelie thay fecht
b. Strongly, well (horsed). 1456 Hay I. 37/11.
[He] was michtily horsit and of grete curage
c. Loudly, vehemently. 1529 Rec. Earld. Orkney 58.
Cryand mychtily for God's saik on their kneis
2. By divine power. a1400 Legends of the Saints ii. 118.
That kinge [Jesus] serwe I, That raisit me sa mychtyly a1400 Ib. vii. 426.
Goddis Sone … This mychtely that has heylit me a1400 Ib. ix. 140. 1568 Lyndesay Pref.
3. Plentifully, copiously, abundantly; richly, splendidly; well, happily. a1400 Legends of the Saints xliv. 341.
Hire mychtty frendis … mad a crafty kirke … & feffyt it mychtyly Of gret rentis c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 469.
And for gude deid reward ay mychttelie c1460 Ib. 551.
Than Alexander was warnist mychtilie In wit wisdome and science of clergie c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxiii. 23.
Quho levis mirry, he levis michtely [v.r. michely] c1500-c1512 Id. xlviii. 97.
On feild of gold he [the lion] stude full mychtely 1531 Bell. Boece II. 38.
King Vortigern drank michtely of the coupe 15.. Clariodus i. 802.
Ane plesant wompill, with stonis set mightelie 15.. Ib. ii. 1789, iv. 2408. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 683.
He is michtilie maried that misters na mends
4. Powerfully, deeply (moved, offended, etc.); to a great extent, greatly, extremely, very much. a1499 Contemplacioun of Synnaris 1180.
For to speike … Off hell the passing pane perpetuall It suld … mychtely mufe manly memoriale 1600-1610 Melvill 554.
He did schaw him selff mychtily offendit at [etc.] c1615 Chron. Kings 68.
Efter he caussit opress the Inglismen mechtillie 1615 Highland P. III. 297.
The rebels hes spoylled mightellie the land 1618 Criminal Trials III. 451.
The Inglischmen ar michtilie blind 1623 Rec. Convention of Royal Burghs III. 147.
Be protectiounes … the lieges ar michtelie preiudgit c1650 Spalding I. 23. c1650 Ib. 266, II. 13.
The Erll of Morray … rejoisit michtellie at this vassallage 1682 St. A. Baxter Bks. 141.
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"Michtily adv.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/michtily>
