Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
FREELY, adv. Sc. usage: very (Ags. 1825 Jam.); entirely, completely, quite (I. and ne.Sc., Ags., m.Lth. 1953).Ags. 1728 State Trials (1813) XVII. 139:
The kennel was deep and dirty, and the pannel was deep in it, but not freely covered.Abd. after 1768 A. Ross Works (S.T.S.) 187:
A gallant squire of freely gentle cast.Edb. 1773 R. Fergusson Poems (1925) 78:
Shapes war nor thae, I freely ween Cou'd never meet the soldier's ein.Abd. 1787 A. Shirrefs Jamie and Bess v. i.:
Wi' Bess, he's freely o'er the lugs in love.Sc. 1820 A. Sutherland St Kathleen III. 103:
By the siller ye sent me, I dootna bit ye've been freely lucky.Abd. 1881 W. Paul Past and Present 34:
Sandy, I'm nae freely sae hard upon sleepers i' the kirk as some folk.Bnff. 1934 J. M. Caie Kindly North 49:
The coorse anes aft win ow'r ye an' the ithers get yer froons — I dinna like tae speer, — but div ye freely think it's fair?
