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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Vivelie, -ly, adv. and adj. Also: viwelie, vifely, vivlie, -ly, viflie. [Late ME vyvelyche (1471), vively (1537); Vive adj.]

A. adv. a. Truly; vividly; clearly, distinctly; accurately. b. In a lively manner, energetically, actively. c. Keenly, sharply, intensely. d. Brightly.a. 1563 G. Hay Confutation Abbot Crosraguel 72.
Certane almous … destributed to the use of them that wer in necessitie … that the lyuelie practies of the same [sc. brotherly love] should more viuelie represent … it in there hertes 1571 Ferg. Serm. iii Malachi Sig. B i b.
Thair progenitouris, quhome thay in thair maneris na les viuely resemblit then gif thay had remanit thame selfis aliue vnto that hour 1589–90 Reg. Privy C. IV 470 n.
By your last letter yee sent unto me, yee painted out so vivelie therin your honest meaning to my service c1590 J. Stewart 86/224.
Full monie luiflie dictums … Als recent fair and viwelie formit schew As instantlie thay haid beine forgit new c1590 Fowler II 193/30.
All sortes of fishes … with other infinit things made of suger, and most viuely represented in their owne shape 1600-1610 Melvill 407 (see Vive adj. 4). 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 76/11.
Vse vocabula artis quhairby ȝe may the mair viuelie represent that persoun quhais pairt ȝe paint out 1632 Fugitive Poetry II viii 168.
That the truth more viuely should be kend 1638 Henderson Serm. 270.
And so in this he does vively represent the estate of the kirk a1691 Kingston Contin. Ho. Seytoun 56.
His picture in that condition I have seen, drawn and vively painted, upon the north end of the long gallery in Seton(b) 1596–7 Melvill 392.
Vivlie 1633 Johnston Diary I 16.
Befor I sau ever Gods love and faytherly indulgence in al that ever befel me … nou I seie vivly in al his hot displeasure and indignation 1654 Johnston Diary II 269.
And I saw the vanitye of outward shewes vivly represented to me in the poor daft man going up the street brave-lyk and al the bairnes following him(c) 1589 James VI in Trans. Ir. Acad. XV 280.
By youre last lettir ye sent unto me ye painted out sa uiflie thairin your honest meaning to my seruice [etc.] 1600 Lett. Jas. VI to Eliz. 132.
Quhill it please God to offer sum occasion that by effectis I maye more uifely expresse it unto youb. c1590 J. Stewart 11/15.
Thow fyrie Vulcane, to my sute inclyn, My sensis schairpe, And viwelie tham vpsteir 1597 James VI Dæmonol. (STS) 25/28.
That he may the more viuelie counterfeit and scorne God, he oft times makes his slaues to conveene in … churches c1650 Spalding II 230.
He, his wyf and famelie, sitting at supper in his owne houss, hard tovking of drumis viveliec. 1587-99 Hume 77/318.
As for offence of speach I nathing feare it, For vpright men thereby are nathing deirit: And sick as are with wickednes bewitched, I sussie not how viuely they be tuitchedd. 1587-99 Hume 25/6.
O perfite light … Thy glorie when the day foorth flies, Mair viuely dois appeare

B. adj. Lifelike. 1581-1623 James VI Poems II 88/239.
For as the rest does represent Her qualities most rare, So shoulde her selfe, though viuelie, no, Yett best it can be there