A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1399-1605
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Ferly, Ferlie, v. [ME. ferly (a 1300), f. Ferlyn. or Ferlya. Cf. Farly v.]
1. tr. To cause (one) to wonder; to surprise. Also refl. to be surprised. a1400 Legends of the Saints iii. 387.
It ferlis me, That sa wise a man [etc.] a1400 Ib. 485.
Me ferlis, that [etc.] 1416 Red Bk. Menteith I. 284.
Tharof vs ferlyis nouch lytyle ?1438 Alex. ii. 2080.
Schent worth he that crabis him ocht! Schir Baudecane, ferly ȝow nocht!
2. intr. To marvel or wonder. Also const. of, or with dependent clause.(1) a1400 Legends of the Saints xvi. 327.
Ferly nocht Thochte I sycht & haf gret thocht ?1438 Alex. ii. 3234.
All that euer sawe thame, halely Ferleid on thame, ilk man a1500 Henr. Fab. 1768.
Hameward couth I carie, Swa ferliand as I had sene ane farie a1500 Buke of the Sevyne Sagis 2061.
He ferlyit, and clam wp in hy 1513 Doug. x. Prol. 86 (Sm).
Frend, ferly nocht, na caus is to complene a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 846.
Nane ferlies mair than fulis(2) a1400 Legends of the Saints l. 148.
He ferlyit of hir prudence c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 260.
Yf ȝhe ferly of the delay c1420 Wynt. iv. 2607.
Quhill he ferlyde off that sycht, He herd a woice c1420 Ib. viii. 954.
Mony ferlyid off this sentens 1443 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 43.
Yhe haf done litle or noght to oure saide Soueren Lordis charge, of the quhilk we ferly mikle 1513 Doug. xii. Prol. 80.
The feildis ferleis of thar fructuous fleyce 1535 Stewart 1251.
I ferlie greitlie of ane thing 15.. Clariodus iii. 1105.
The King did him commend, and ferliet of his deidis(3) a1400 Legends of the Saints xx. 323.
Ferlyand mony how that suld fall c1420 Wynt. vi. 1300 (W).
[The priest] ferlyit fast quhat kyn message That he suld beire to the emprice 1456 Hay I. 28/2.
Tharfor suld na men ferly, that this avarice be lykenyt to the pit of hell c1515 Asloan MS I. 227/2.
The king gaf tham the keping of the hous … And how that was men ferleit 1515 Acts Lords of Council MS. XXVII. 31.
I ferlie your lordschip wraite nocht to me 15.. Clariodus iv. 1078.
He ferliet grittumlie quha it suld be 1540 Lynd. Sat. 123.
I ferlie how he fra vs went
3. tr. To wonder at (something). 1513 Doug. i. vii. 7.
The fair postis alsso he ferleit fast
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"Ferly v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Apr 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/ferly_v>
