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

Wre(t)chitly, Wrachitly, adv. Also: wrechytly, vrechitly, -idly, wretchitlie, wrachytly, wratchitlie. [ME and e.m.E. wrecchedliche (1297), wrechedli (Cursor M.), wrechedly (Rolle), wretchydly (c1450).] a. In a miserable or distressing manner; in misery; so as to experience or cause misery, sorrow or unhappiness; meanly, basely. b. In a niggardly or miserly fashion. c. Poorly.a. 1375 Barb. vii 346.
The oyst … [saw] thar men swa wrechytly [C. vrechidly] Sum nakit fleand her & thar, Sum all hale, sum woundyt sar a1400 Leg. S. xliii 550.
Bettire is de happely Na for to lif [pr. de] here wrechitly [L. infeliciter] c1420 Ratis R. 1625.
Warldly corrumppit qualytee That failȝeis fautly ilke day And vanis vrechitly away a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 63.
The fatall destenie Of fair Cresseid, that endit wretchitlie(b) c1420 Wynt. v 354.
Thai twa Wrachytly thare deyde a1450 Fifteen Ois 135.
Haue mynd, deir Lord, of that sorrow Quhen Thou hang nakit … Apoun the croce sa wrachitly 1513 Doug. ix vii 184.
Samony capitanys … so wrachitly as slane is 1535 Stewart 49054.
Wratchitlieb. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 208/21.
Sum gevis to littill full wretchitly [M. so lytill and wrachelie]c. 1513 Doug. iii ix 7.
A lenar wight, na mayr pynyt, I ne saw Nor ȝit sa wrachitly beseyn a wy