A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1375-1420, 1513-1626
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Na wis(e, wys(e, adv. phr. Also: wyis(e, wyes, vis, vys(e, vyis(e. [Wise n.: cf. No wise.] In no way, not at all, by no means. Variously const.By, in, of, on na wise, see Wise n.(1) 1375 Barb. vi. 594 (E).
[To] lat him na wys [C. na vis] pas thaim fra 1375 Ib. iii. 656. 1375 Ib. xiv. 486.
Na wis c1420 Wynt. v. 3277. 1513 Doug. x. v. 4. 1513 Ib. xiv. 90. 1517 Protocol Book of John Foular II. 22.
And said thai wald keip the samyn … and na wys cum in contrar tharof 1561 Reg. Privy C. I. 200.
The saidis tennentis … sall na wyise be haldin to pay [etc.] 1565–6 Ib. 425.
Na wyise 1570 Misc. Bann. C. III. 423.
Nawyse 1570 Canongate Ct. Bk. 251.
Na wis 1578 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 97.
Navyis 1581 Burne Disput. 21 b.
To abstene from certane meattis … is nauyse condemnit be S. Paull c1590 Fowler I. 153/7.
Na wyes 1594 Writers Signet 231.
The saidis writteris … salbe friemen … and nawyis be subject [etc.] 1598 Criminal Trials II. 65.
The samin aucht nawyis be delayit 1622-6 Bisset I. 268/1.
Nawyise(2) 1375 Barb. iv. 444.
That thai mycht weld the se na vis 1375 Ib. xii. 217 (E).
And luk ye na wis brek aray a1400 Legends of the Saints xiii. 105.
That a mane of Galilee … na-vyse As thai did, wald make sacrifyce a1400 Ib. xxii. 304.
Thu gettis na-wise delay a1400 Ib. xli. 292.
Nawyse 1574 St. A. Baxter Bks. 21.
Nawyis 1592 Reg. Morton I. 181.
Seing it navyise prejugis ȝow of ony proffitt(3) 1565–6 Reg. Privy C. I 433 And nayis to end with the said Mr.
All actioun … to ceise and na wyise to proceed quhill [etc] 1616 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 137.
Williame unles [etc.](4) 1567 Acts III. 24/1.
That all kingis … sall serue … God … nawyse repugnant to the said word of the eternall God c1590 Fowler II. 145/24.
He quha is na wyes thy freind c1590 Ib. 151/36. 1598 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 79.
Commontie to this burgh and nawyes lesum to the auldtoun 1607 Reg. Privy C. VII. 377.
His majestie being nawise willing that [etc.] 1622-6 Bisset I. 94/15.
Nawyis
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"Na Wis adv. phr.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/na_wise>
