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 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Kindliness, Kyndli-, Kyndelynes, n. Also: kyndlynes.[f. Kindly a.; ME. kendlynesse (c 1440), e.m.E. kindlines(se, = noble or gentle conduct, benevolence.] a. Natural disposition or behaviour. b. The right of a ‘kindly’ occupier. = Kindnes n. 2. c. Generosity, benevolence. —a. 1456 Hay I. 130/1.
All ath agaynis gude faith … or agayn the bidding of God and our all kyndelynes of nature [F. humanité] ar nocht tobe kepitb. 1627 Rep. Parishes 197.
[Ednam, Roxburghsh.:] Thai ar all kyndlie tenentis, for the most pairt of thaim selfes or predecessoris bought the kyndlines with thair bluid and good service 1681 Stair Inst. ii. ix. 20.
Grassums do presume kindliness; … if the grassum be received from the tenant and thereby he be acknowledged by writ as a kindly tenant, he cannot be removed [etc.]c. c1475 Wall. ix. 385.
He thankit hym off his gret kyndlynes