A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
(Wele willit,) Weill willit, -wyllyt, adj. Also: weil(l)-, wealwilled, well willit. [ME and e.m.E. well wylled (Trevisa); Willit ppl. adj.] Eager, ready (to do, that); favourably disposed (to a person). Also proverb.(1) c1460 Consail Vys Man 371.
Be weill-wyllyt in thin office For heritage is na seruice c1590 Fowler II 73/10.
If his deborded vyces … bringeth him not to over great hatred … he salbe naturallye alwayes weillwilled and borne with be his pepill 1598 Acts IV 177/1.
The nobilitie … being weill willit men and effectionat to his Maiesties seruice 1627 Bk. Carlaverock II 91.
I houp the capitane salbe verie capabill and weilwilledproverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 658.
Nothing is difficile to a well willit man(2) 1494 Deidis of Armorie 45.
He movit oft-tymes wer apon his enemys and rycht weill willit to fecht with thaim ?1543–4 Corr. M. Lorraine 55.
As for myself I sall [? be aye] weill willit to mak the quenis grace and yow service 1566 Reg. Privy C. I 494.
We ar myndit and weill willit that [etc.] 1573–4 Cal. Sc. P. IV 653.
[I think myself greatly addetted to your lordship, and shall be ready] weilwilled [to acquit the same at all times](3) 1633 Johnston Diary I 184.
If my fayther wil not quhy wald be so wealwilled to me as to loose them
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"Wele Willit adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 16 May 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/wele_willit>
