A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1375-1450
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Wittely, -ie, -ily, Wyttyly, adv. Also: vittely. [ME and e.m.E. wittily (c1350), wyttyly (Prompt. Parv.] Cleverly, intelligently; wisely. 1375 Barb. v 264.
Gud begynnyng … Gyff it be folowit wittily [C. vittely] May ger … wnlikly thing Cum to full conabill ending 1375 Barb. xiii 575.
To-gidder sarraly raid thai … Thai war gouernyt wittily [C. wittely] For it semyt ay thai war redy For to defend thaim ?1438 Alex. ii 7043.
Sa it is misterfull that we Richt wittely auysit be How … we may best to battaill ga c1420 Wynt. v 3199.
Conane … Governyd it sa wyttyly [C. wittely, W. wisly] … That it hate Brettayne to this day c1420 Wynt. viii 3817 (W).
Urqhart wes the fourt castell, That schir Robert of Lawder weill Held and kepit wittely ?a1450 Florimond 240.
Me think ȝe wirk nocht wittelie … Lyand rycht as beast in sty
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"Wittely adv.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/wittely>
