A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1531-1596
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Cunningly, adv. Also: -yngly, -lie, cuning-, conynglie, cunninly, cuninlie. [ME. cunnyngely (Chaucer), con(n)yngly, etc. In Sc. replacing the earlier Cunnandly.] With knowledge; skilfully, cleverly. 1531 Stirlings of Keir 341.
The said Johne Logane … has conynglie schothing [= chosen] honorabill men … [as] equall personis 1533 Boece v. iii. 169.
Plinius the secund, quhilk wrate the naturale historyis na les trewlie than cunnynglie 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 5100.
We … can discus all dreames sa cunninglie a1578 Pitsc. II. 56/29.
His text was … declairit maist cuninglie and ferventlie 1596 Dalr. I. 266/31.
The armes of … France with the armes … of Scotland he coupled togither, cunninly, craftilie and workmanly 1596 Ib. II. 45/1.
The dyverse kyndes quhilkes he maid in Scotis metre, sa cunninglie [etc.]
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"Cunningly adv.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 3 Aug 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/cunningly>
