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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.

Soverly, Souerly, adv. Also: souerlie, -lé, -alie, sowerlé, sovirly, souirlie, -lé, -ely, suuerlie. [Sover adj. Cf. Sur(e)ly adv.] Surely, securely, in various senses of Sover adj.

1. Without fear of attack or other danger; safely, securely.Chiefly of persons or animals.1449 Acts II 35/1 (see Sover adj. 6 d). 1511 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. I 104.
That men may pas esely and soueralie to the hycht of the said stepil 1513 Doug. i v 30.
Sen Anthenor mycht … sovirly [L. tutus] pas the strait regionys alswa Of Liburnanys 1513 Doug. ix ii 66.
Tharin bletand the lammys Full sovirly [L. tuti] liggis vnder thar dammys 1513 Doug. iii vi 46. 1513 Doug. v xiv 33. 1517 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 104.
That ane currour pas with ane salf conduct to the commissionaris … to cum souirely to the said meting 1526 Acts II 302/1.
He knawis that the discharge of Orknay and Schetland mycht haue bene had sovirly to the kingis grace

2. Of keeping or guarding in a secure manner: a. So as to prevent escape. b. So as to preclude access to or interference with (a person). c. So as to prevent intrusion or trespass.a. 1525 Crim. Trials I i 130.
That the said schereffis sall … convoy them souerly to the place quhare thai salbe ordanit to be justifyt 1535 Stewart 47678.
To Lundoun toun … Quhair tha war keipit in ane presoun strang Richt souerlieb. 1513 Doug. ii x 107.
I salbe with thé soverly and ful koy 1527 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 86.
This inquiest ordines James Tait and his vyf to keipe thair madayne souerlie to Martynmes quhill … Rolland Hammyltoun bryng ane relykc. 1494 Loutfut MS 2b.
The iuge suld ordand sufficiant men of armes to kepe the feild souerly

3. With assurance or certainty; assuredly, certainly. 1492 Fam. Rose 155.
And that he sal mak Jhon Caldor his second son his verra lauchful and undoutit air of al and sundri the forsaid land [etc.] … als souerly and sikyr as mennis wit can devise 1525 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 76.
Rob of Wynterhoup hes coft the hors agane fra Adam Jaksone … and this is preffit souerlie and may be preffit with xxx^ti persones 1533 Gau 8/29.
To traist suuerlie al time guid of Hime as of thair maist tender fader 1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 72.
The lord of Kelmawris and the beschop of Catanes … es reden to England … as I am sowerle informet a1568 Scott in Bann. MS 17a/51.
Ainx sovirlie I sall to synnaris mak narratioun