Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Curiously, -lie, adv. Also: -lye, -iusly, -eouslie; curyously, -owsly, -wsly, -usly; couriouslie. [ME. cury-, curiously, curiouseliche (1340), f. Curious,a.

1. Carefully; with care or close attention. c1420 Wynt. vi. 1295.
He closyd this lettyr curywsly a1497, 15.. Gray MS. vi. 40.
Kingis & knichtis in company Vncountit curiously vp I kest 1624 Misc. Abbotsf. C. 263.
I shall maist curiusly strive to observe these 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. ii. xxi. § 2.
An inditement should be most curiously and certainly penn'd

2. With elegance of language or sound. c1420 Wynt. i. 18.
Omere and Vyrgylle … curyowsly dytyde thare storis Ib. v. 4365.
Huchown has tretyd [this] curyowsly In Gest off Broyttys auld story 1461 Liber Plusc. 392.
Rycht as all stringis ar reulit in a harp In ane accord … than curiusly thai carp 1513 Doug. Æn. 909/17.
I will weill otheris can say mair curyusly, Bot I have said eftir my fantasy 15.. Clar. ii. 1713.
On instruments menstrelles playit curiouslie a1585 Maitl. Q. lxix. 6.
Quhair as the merle & maveis … thair nottis maist curiouslie did sing

3. With skill or art; elaborately, exquisitely. 1456 Hay I. 64/23.
Ane ymage of him curiously corvin in marbre c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 21.
Kemmit was thair cleir hair, and curiouslie sched Attour thair schulderis 1513 Doug. viii. iii. 165.
Ane courtly quavir ful curyusly wrocht c1552 Lynd. Mon. 180.
Quhen fresche Flora spred furth hir tapestrie, Wrocht be dame Nature quent and curiouslie a1578 Pitsc. I. 154/13.
He fondit ane … colledge in Sanctandrois, … quhairin he maid his lair verri cureouslie and costlie 1596 Dalr. I. 295/21.
The inner parte of this tour al of tabulet wark curiouslie caruet

4. With subtle learning or argument. 1531 Bell. Boece II. 193.
Thir young men, quhen he wes reidand maist curiouslie, slew him 1558 Q. Kennedy Tractive 108.
Upoun thaim quhilkis contempnandlie and curiuslie leanis to thair awin jugement