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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.

Smertly, Smartly, adv. Also: smertlie, smartlie, smairtly. [ME and e.m.E. smertliche (a1225), smertli (Cursor M.), smertly (Rolle), smartly (14th c.); Smert adj.]

1. In a swift and vigorous manner (in respect of an action requiring both speed and strength); swiftly and vigorously. Also fig.(a) 1375 Barb. vii 489.
It is hard till wndretak Sic melling with ȝow … That swa smertly has slayn thir thre For-owtyn hurt 1375 Barb. xii 71.
The kyng … So smertly that gud knycht had slayne Than thai withdrew thaim 1375 Barb. xvi 132.
[Than] bad he smertly tit him doun 1375 Barb. xvii 675.
He … smertly swappit out the stane ?1438 Alex. ii 10229.
Smertly ilkane vther seruit With strakes that thare armour keruit c1400 Troy-bk. ii 2938.
His swerd smertlie reft him fra c1420 Wynt. vii 2587 (W).
Thai … slang thaim smertly all oure burde 1456 Hay I 49/28.
Cipro come agaynis him in felde with all his menȝe rycht smertly 1456 Hay I 58/5.
He set on thame smertly with sik hardynes and ferstee, that … thai war discomfyte a1500 Henr. Fab. 2585 (H).
Than be cragbane smertlie he him tuke a1500 K. Hart 884.
With ane swerde he can him smertlie smyte 1513 Doug. ix ix 138.
Arcens standyng hym forgane Hes smertly with a ledyn pellok slane(b) ?1438 Alex. i 1656.
Sa smartly thair thay can thame skar That [etc.]fig. c1500 Barounis Lawis 16b.
Schir iuge I deny smertly the felloune deide

b. Swiftly, speedily; immediately, at once.(a) 1375 Barb. v 598.
Quhat wapyn has thow … Giff me thaim smertly 1375 Barb. vi 21.
Var he nocht outrageous hardy, He had nocht swa vnabasitly Sa smertly seyn his avantage 1375 Barb. xvi 608 (E).
Quha luffis his lord or his cuntre, Turne smertly now agayne with me 1375 Barb. xvii 230.
Vittale … He gert bring smertly to the toune a1400 Leg. S. xxvii 1034.
Out of his hals than lape the bane, & he mad haile als smertly wes, As man that neuir weste of seknes ?1438 Alex. ii 5979.
‘Now say on smertly!’ said the king c1400 Troy-bk. i 192.
That he ger ankeres rasit be And smertly set thame to the see c1420 Wynt. iii 43. a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 706.
Schort suerdis of scheith smertly thay dreuch a1500 K. Hart 912.
This meikle wambe this rottin levir als Se that ȝe beir and that command I ȝow And smertlie hing both abone his hals 1513 Doug. viii iv 205.
Than ilk man smertly [Sm. smartly, Ruddim. smertlie] tastis the wyne at tabill a1540 Freiris Berw. 539.
Throw the myre full smertly than he ȝude, And our the wall he clam richt haistely(b) ?1438 Alex. i 2181.
The king than smartly hes gart cry That all sould fare delyuerly ?a1450 Florimond 264.
Thair hade beine bargane haistielie Betuix tha twa, wer nocht the king Gart smartlie set thaim letting 15.. Clar. ii 1225.
Clariodus … smartlie hes donne af his false visage

2. Sharply, keenly (in respect of a feeling).(a) ?1438 Alex. i 518.
The teiris ouer his chekis ran And smertly he regratit than Alexander the nobill king(b) ?1438 Alex. ii 9065.
Smartly in hart he menit thame then 1677 Lauderdale P. III 96.
Therfor the fynes to be exacted wold be such as may be smartlie felt by the transgressors

3. Sharply (in respect of speech), brusquely.(a) c1420 Wynt. viii 5272 (A).
He askyt him fore company And he as bourdand said smertly [R. smethely, W. smethly] [etc.] a1540 Freiris Berw. 220 (M).
Till hir madin smertlie can scho say Away all this and slokin out the fyre(b) 1696 Minnigaff Par. Rec. 10.
He was rebooked smairtly