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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.

Sinistrously, -lie, adv. Also: sinistroslie, sinistrusly, -lie, sinisterously, -lie, -uslie, sinistruously, -lie, sinistriouslie, senistrously, senestrueslie. [e.m.E. sinisterously (1560), sinistrously (a1670); Sinistrous adj.]

1. Maliciously, unfavourably; with the intention of deceiving or slandering.(a) 1603 Elphinstone Chart. 168.
Least … your Maiestie sould be sinistrouslie informit 1604 Douglas Corr. 190.
And if any man do utherwyse informe your majestie, they do sinistrously traduce your majesties best affectionatt subjectes 1643 Justiciary Cases III 555.
The informatione gevin to thame in that mater is sinisterouslie maid aganis him 1648 Dumfries Kirk S. 29 Dec.
To beat the drum to them at everie health (as they sinistrouslie terme it) 1664 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. II 340.
If she should take any preposterous course therewith [a bond], or sinisterously employ the same, that then this their consent should be null 1672 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. II 656. 16… Highland P. II 274.
Senistrously(b) 1626 Bk. Carlaverock II 76.
Sir Robert Ker hes moist senestrueslie informed his Majestie of my prosidingis sene my cuming to Scotland

2. Erroneously, falsely. 1581 Sat. P. xliv 223.
Scripture perqueir he hes sinistrouslie 1581 Burne Disput. 66b.
As to the places of scripture quhilk ȝe allege for ȝou, the first is sinistrouslie interpreted

3. Inauspiciously, unfortunately. 1604 W. Alexander Julius Caesar 1614.
Strive to pacifie thy brest Lest sorrows but sinistrously presage That which thou would'st not wish

4. Dishonestly, corruptly; in an underhand manner.(a) a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 146.
Thais that went to Swadin behavit thayme selfis sinistrouslie a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 329.
All thais lands pertenyng of auld to the kirk, which war wranguslie and sinistroslie annexit to the croun 1603 Crim. Trials II 403.
That this letter is only ane letter, blank, sinisteruslie purchest, contrair the Act of Parliament 1680 Murray Lyon Hist. Lodge Edinb. 26.
Robert Whyte … hes … seduced severall of our servants … to worke with him in those workes quhich he has sinisterously taken 1696 Old Ross-shire I 89.
[They] have sinistrusly and unbeknowin to him putt money in his poceat of a design to make him shouldier(b) c1610 Melville Mem. (1735) 259.
Sinistruously perverting the same c1615 Breve Cron. Earlis Ross 17.
He was sinistruously and wrongously put out of the Abbay 1691 Glasgow B. Rec. IV 20.
There are great quantitie of couper work wrought without the said toune … and disposed therin most sinistruouslie