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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Sinisterly, -lie, adv. Also: -lye, senisterly, senistirly(e, senistraly. [Late ME sinistrely (1465), e.m.E. synystryly (Caxton), senysterly (1506), sinisterly (1529); Sinister adj.]

1. Maliciously, with intent to deceive, misinform or harm; malevolently; unfavourably. 1549 Compl. 2/34.
Quhen thai & Mordocheus var sinisterly accusit, and alse persecutit be Amman c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus iii 314.
That point is fals … This dittay is geuin in sinisterlie 1566 Anal. Scot. I 102.
We will … defend it, against all that will sinisterly in hattret of ws labour otherwayes to misreport thereof 1573 Reg. Privy C. II 215.
To mak publicatioun heirof at the marcat croce … that nane … sinisterlie deprave and misreport of hir Majesteis freindlie and favourabill intentioun 1574 Misc. Maitl. C. I 102.
David … declarit that … the kirk wes wranguslie and sinesterlye informit of him 1586–7 Rait & Cameron King James's Secret 167.
I have nocht as yit delyverit your lordshipis letter … lest utherwayse my dealing with him sould be sinisterly interpreted

2. In a wrongful or underhand manner, dishonestly. 1491 Acta Conc. I 206/1.
Thai … purchest sinisterly the said pretendit proces apoun me 1494 Acta Conc. I 344/2.
Senisterly 1497 Acta Conc. II 72.
The saidis letters … wer senisterly and unordourly purchest 1501 Acta Conc. III 95.
[The sheriff] made execucioune of our soverane lordis lettres senistirlye 1516–17 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 77.
[William Lamb alias Panter] … sinisterly purchest in the court of Rome [a yearly pension of £50 Scots] … makand na mentioun that it was ane lawit patronage 1521 Acts XII 39/2.
Quhatsumever licht report is senistirly maid be ony Scottis traytoure or fugitive for his demeritis 1536 Douglas Corr. 145.
Shewing to the said Fraunche King we never offendid, but senistraly doune to, by counsell of our small frendes beyng about the said young King of Scottis 1593 Reg. Privy C. V 58.