Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†DEADLY, adj. Liable to death, mortal, used absol. as pl. = mortals in 18th cent. Sc. legal phr. against all deadly, against all persons. The 19th cent. and mod. equivalent in Sc. law is against all mortals.Sc. 1762 Nairne Peerage Evidence (1873) 93:
In the peaceable brooking enjoying and possessing thereof at all hands and against all deadly as law will.Frf. 1722 Tack (per Fif.¹):
Warrand of saids J . . . W . . . and his said son in the peaceable possession of the sd. Town and Lands . . . against all Deadly as Law will.Lnk. 1711 J.P.s Lnk. (S.H.S. 1931) 122:
I . . . shall defend as valid according to law against all deadly whatsomever.