A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
(Villanously,) Velan(o)usly, Vylensly, adv. Also: velanouslie, vilonysly, welanysly, -isly, willansly, wylansly, vilaynsly, velansly, -onsly, welansly. [ME and e.m.E. velaynesly, vileynsly (both Chaucer), vilensly (Wyclif), vilaynsly, vyla(y)nously (all Caxton), vylanesly (c1500).] Cruelly, dreadfully, horribly; in a villainous manner; dishonourably.(a) 1375 Barb. v 150.
How that his brothyr takyn war In the castell of Kildromy And destroyit sa welanysly [C. vilonysly] ?1438 Alex. ii 144.
Emynedus slew him velanously ?1438 Alex. ii 9184.
Welanisly was he woundit thare, The blude breist of his body ?1438 Alex. ii 9273.
That battell had all vtterly Bene discomfist velanusly That thare had bene no recouering 1568 Lyndesay Pref. 403.
Seing this famous authour, and his notabill warkis to be sa velanouslie handillit, and sa miserabillie and malitiouslie mankit(b) c1420 Wynt. iv 165.
That the comownys vylensly [C., W. willansly [pr. willausly]] Grewyt sulde be throwe thaire maistry c1420 Wynt. v 1690.
Scho defamyt that abbot … That he … supprysid hyr vylensly [pr. vyleusly] [C. welansly [pr. welausly], W. violently, A. velonsly [pr. velously], L. villanly, E.2 velanously] c1420 Wynt. v 4594.
The folk and the clergy Agayne discordyt wylansly [pr. wylausly] [C. welansly [pr. welausly], W. velansly [pr. velausly], E.2 velanously] 1456 Hay I 81/31.
God … oft tymes gevis victorye till his frendis thouch thai be feble of corps as was be example of David and Golyas, the quhilk he vencust vilaynsly [pr. vilayusly] and slewe him cruelly
