Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SWEETLY, adj., adv.

I. adj. Effective of their kind, thorough; in quot. of blows: good hard.Bnff. 1854 Banffshire Jnl. (31 Oct.) 3:
He had been in company home with the Riddocks and Geddes, and that he had “laid in some sweetly licks” into them coming up the road.

II. adv. Emphatically, with force and feeling (Ork. 1972).Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 67:
I can sweetly swaer, fower better fellows never sat doon tae a drinkan' teeble.