A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1375, 1590-1662
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Idillie, Ydilly, adv. Also: ydilé, idelly, iyedillie. [ME. idili, -liche. OE. ídellice.] Idly, inactively, indolently; uselessly, wastefully, frivolously. — 1375 Barb. iv. 411.
Othir syndry ȝeid thame by, As thai war masteris, ydilly 1375 Ib. x. 171.
Hym-self … Suld by the vayn [= wain] gang ydilly c1590 Fowler II. 110/3.
Never to be ydile occupyed 1615 Highland P. III. 289.
Thair [sc. the ships'] staye in these seas idillie can awaill nothing 1632 Sutherland Corr. 154.
I hawe … spent my meinis and my tyme iyedillie 1662 Lamont Diary 152.
He had ryddine away with … 700 markes. or therby, of his money, and spent the same idelly in the westcountrey
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"Idillie adv.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 12 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/idillie>
