Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1768-1920
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MAISTLY, adv. Also maistlie, maissly (Edb. 1791 J. Learmont Poems 64). Sc. forms and usages of Eng. mostly.
1. Most of all, especially (Sh., Ags., Ayr., Kcb. 1962).Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 111:
Quo Lindy, "Sir, this is a sareless feast, To tak in earnest what ane speaks in jest; But maistly when we hae our life to lead."
2. Almost, nearly (Sc. 1825 Jam.; I., ne., em.Sc., Kcb., Slk. 1962). Cf. Maist, adv.2Peb. 1805 J. Nicol Poems II. 86:
An' discord dinlin thro' his head, Strikes little warbler maistlie dead.Mry. 1810 J. Cock Simple Strains 118:
What a drouth! Wi' heat I'm maistly choket.Sc. 1825 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) I. 61:
When the troops are maistly a' without muskets or beggonets.Rxb. 1847 H. S. Riddell Poems 26:
The tempest now was maistly o'er.Kcd. 1884 D. Grant Lays 73:
The wife o' Littlefirlot Maistly clawed the souter's croon.Lth. 1915 J. Fergus The Sodger 17:
Whaur, as the birkie says himsel', his talent's maistly hidden.Abd. 1920 G. P. Dunbar Peat Reek 23:
I've haen my share o' ups an' doons, we maistly a' ha'e that.
