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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Singularly, -lie, adv. Also: singullarlie, singularely, -airly, -arily. [ME syngulerly (Rolle), singulerly (Wyclif), syngularly (1456), e.m.E. singularly (1575); Singular adj.]

1. Singly, individually; by oneself or itself; without assistance from others; separately (from something). 1462 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 20.
Quha sa … brekis this statute sall pay … ilk persoun singularlie be him self ane chalder of quheit but remissioun 1490 Irland Mir. II 108/2.
The law doctrin and faith that God has provit singularly be attestacioun of miraklis that nane mycht wyrk na do bot He 1497 Acta Conc. II 74.
All the saidis partiis … being personaly present … thai inquirit singularely be thame self gif [etc.] a1538 Abell 6a.
Gedion … resauit ane figur of the cummyne of Christ in the flece dry and wait singularlie fra the laif of ȝerd a1538 Abell 75a.
Thai convenit to fecht thai tua to giddir singularlie 1568 Glasgow Prot. V 110.
In cais ony of thame be usit singularlie that the said Johne sall remitt equivalent proffet thairfor

b. Solely; only. 1502 Acta Conc. III 196.
Gif the accione was singulairly at the kingis instance

c. In a unique or highly individual way. 1460 Hay Alex. 224.
He had ane propir fassoun singularlie, Lyk to nane vther

2. Specially, particularly; to an unusual degree. 1533 Boece 311b.
Singularly instructit in the scripture a1538 Abell 28a.
Inwert strife amang his legis singularlie he detestit 1562-3 Winȝet I 56/31.
Of the quhilk twa poyntis I wes singularlie reioseit a1578 Pitsc. I 356/10.
He [sc. the king] wowit singullarlie gif he had lyfe and dayis he sould recompence them quho was the hinderaris of his iournay a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 83.
Jesus Christ … who more singularly binds in heaven, what by His officers is bound on earth a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 401.
Therefore are all these singularily pointed at here