A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Evill-willar(e, -willer, n. [ME. evil willer (1460).] One who wishes evil, or harbours enmity, to another. ?1438 Alex. ii. 10351.
Thairof his euill-willeris war full glad 1456 Hay II. 20/6.
To manetene worschip, and defend it aganis the rebellouris and evill willaris of the kirk 1525 Douglas Corr. 106.
Thare is sindry … evill willaris … discontentit … of the hartelie aggreans betuix ȝoure hienes and ȝoure saide nevo 1533 Bell. Livy II. 154/19.
Or he socht ony helpe at his evil willare he chesit erare to be vincust be his inemye 1547 Reg. Privy C. I. 75.
Thai salbe reput … as misfavouraris of this realme … and evill willaris to the samyn 1588 Events Q. Mary & Jas. VI 48.
Ȝour onfreindis and evilwillairis 1622-6 Bisset I. 7/32.
Quhilk … his maiestie … will bruik and juoyse contrare the invy … of all his innimies and evill willaris 1615 Melrose P. 231.
If your lordship sall kythe … sluggishe in this great chairge, ye will increas the libertie of your ewilwillars
You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Evill-willar n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 16 May 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/evill_willare>
