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

Skil(l)ful(l, adj. Also: skeil-, skeelful. [ME and e.m.E. skilful (Cursor M.), skilfull(e (14th c.); Skill n.]

1. Rational, sensible. c1420 Ratis R. 454.
Worschipfull and irous entent Our-twrnys skilfull jugement

2. Reasonable, proper. c1420 Ratis R. 907.
Bot luk one no wys thow consent For tyll determyne thin entent Quhill skilfull tyme our-passit be That thai may knaw thi propretee

3. Able, expert; clever; learned. 1579 Milne-Home MSS 50.
Quhill the lovable custum be verifiit be the maist skilfull borderers of baith the realmes a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 165 (W).
Moir wilfull nor skilfull, To flie I was so fond 1591 Crim. Trials I ii 250.
Ony wittie or skilfull wemene … that will owthir caus your husband love yow, or ellis gett your will of him 1581 Hamilton Facile Tr. in Cath. Tr. (STS) 226/21.
Wemen, wha can not sew, cairde, nor spin without thay lerne the same of vther skilful wemen 1627 Justiciary Cases I 68.
Be the opinioun of skilfull chirurganes 1637 Dundonald Par. Rec. 427.
Be the advyse of skilfull lawers 1650 Brechin Presb. 36.
Robert Skair … bade send for a drink to her and some skeelful woman 1667 Edinb. Test. LXXIII 13.
Ane inventar valued be skilfull men

b. Const. in (a particular skill). 1589 Cal. Sc. P. X 133.
The seik consulted them that war skeilful in phiseik 1631 Misc. Bann. C. I 243.
A man skilfull in the originall toungs 1660 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 187.
Musicianars skilfull in singing and playing

c. absol. as n. pl. Persons versed in a particular skill, experts. 1615 Sutherland Bk. II 121.
Luik that ye caus sum skilfull weall thame [sc. virginals], and send thame in sum suir crear that cumis to Scotland