A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1562-1613
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(Purposly,) Purposlie, Purpoislie, -lye, adv. Also: purpous-. [e.m.E. purpos(e)ly (1495), f. Purpos n.] On purpose, of set purpose, by design, deliberately. — 1562 Reg. Privy C. I 267.
Thay have contravenit and intendis purposlie to contravene the samyn 1564 Ib. 276.
That he come nocht with his said schip … purposlie within the quenis majesteis watteris bot constranit thairto be storme of weddir 1572-5 Diurnal of Occurrents 240.
The saidis souldiouris convoyaris thairof sould purpouslie cast doun the saids leids in the middis of the port c1590 Fowler I 102/135.
Fuluius Flaccus … purpoislye did err In heading of these thankles men 1613 Inverness Rec. II 112.
The said Elspet purpoislie set on hir with ane drawin knaif
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"Purposly adv.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 10 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/purposly>
