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.

Wyly, Wily, -ie, adj. (adv.). Also: wyl(y)e, vyl(i)e, vil(i)e, willy, wely, -ie, velie, weillie. [ME and e.m.E. wili, wely (both Cursor M.), wyly (Manning), wyle (14th c.), wily (Chaucer), wilie (1581), willy (1662).] Clever, cunning, crafty, sly. a. Of a person. b. Of a means, etc. c. Of a fox, the combination also applied to a person. d. Wilie baguilie [e.m.E. wylye begile (1555)] craftiness, cunning tricks. e. adv. Cunningly.a. ?1438 Alex. ii 2057.
Cassamvs was wyse and wyly c1420 Wynt. vi 1711.
Schyr Knowt, that wes a wyly knycht, As he saw lykly in the fycht, Dowtyd to be supprysyd sone a1500 Seven S. 1707.
Wylye 1494 Loutfut MS 17a.
And signifies he wes dissimilit, wyly and double in his dedis 1522 Douglas Corr. 86.
Ȝon ȝoung wytles fwyll has runnyn apoun his avne myscheyf be continewall persuasioune of wyly subtile men 1533 Boece 187a.
Natholok wyly and fraudulent with grete slicht and craft spak sic thingis as he traistit mycht be to his vse or proffit 1533 Boece 429b.
Tapestrie … behynd quhilk this subtell and wyle woman placit croce bowis 1535 Stewart 19120.
The Scottis that ar baith fals and sle … the Scottis with thair subtilitie … Thir fals Scottis quhilk ar baith vyle and rude 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 12.
Now Clerk of Register … becaus ȝe ar ane wylie child, we keipit ȝow to speike hindmest 1596 Cal. Sc. P. XII 398.
[They took their vantage ever under craft [etc.] … the godly barons and] vile [gentlemen that dwell in this town … patrone a1598 Ferg. Prov. (1706) 272 (see (b) below). c1600 Medical Recipes 86b.
The man that is born vnder the signe of Aries … salbe wittye and vilie 1682 Lauder Observes App. iv 307.
A wylie loun advised him to lay by the sheep's … and put on the foxe's skin 1686 G. Stuart Joco-Ser. Disc. 61.
A twinkling light set at the back In little bowet—wyly quack And there's the geeg of his jim-crack(b) 1460 Hay Alex. 3607.
Wely men that oft was at the say Forsaw that cast and mett thame in the front c1590 J. Stewart 216 § 64.
Velie a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 425.
Of weillie [1706 wily] persons … He is not so daft as he lets him 1646 Rec. Old Aberd. II 23.
Ane able man and welie, fit for the said wacant placeb. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 5504.
Thir thre kingis … fand ane wylie way For to put Rome in greit affray 1567 Sat. P. iv 63.
Feinȝeit fair and wylie wordisc. (1) a1500 Henr. Fab. 425.
This wylie tod a1500 Henr. Fab. 670.
This wylie tratour tod c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 114/58.
This wylie tod … in the silly lambis skin He crap [etc.] 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1559.
Ay lurkeand lyke ane wylie fox 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. in Cath. Tr. (STS) 74/34.
The vnthankfull dealing of sik vylie toddis, as hes laborit to bring your maieste in contempt(2) c1682 Louis de France Music Bk. 50.
The willy willy fox with his many willy works we'll earth himd. 1642 Scots Scouts Discovered 10.
Of late every man at London hath been in his humours: … the Jesuits were at wilie baguilie, and the Scots bishops were at boe-peepe with the kirkee. 1573 Davidson in Sat. P. xlii 59.
Thocht for thair tyme sum wylie winkit, The ages efter will forthinkit