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 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Pretty, -ie, adv. [e.m.E. pretie (1565), prettie (1598), pretty, f. Pretty,adj. (n.) (sense 5). Cf. also Prittie.] Modifying adjs. or advs.: In a fair degree, fairly, somewhat, rather, tolerably. — 1655 Wemyss Chart. 242.
Some lamber beeds that is prettie bigg 1658 R. Moray Lett. fol. 201 (8 March).
A pretty bad lieutennant 1671 Lauder Jrnl. 216.
The family is said to be pretty old and [etc.] 1679 Dunblane Synod 142.
In a prettie good order c1680 W. Row Blair 134.
Mr. Blair at first … did carry pretty soberly 1683 Martine Reliq. Divi Andreae 242.
A prettie handsome steeple 1687 Haddington Corr. 200. 1696 Caldwell P. 179.
Four pretty weel conversed and intelligent gentlemen