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.
Laidly, a. Also: -lie, -ley, ledlie. [Late var. of laithly Lathly a.: cf. midl. ME. lood-, lodly, -lich, lodelike, early ladlich (Layamon), for loðlic, lothely, etc. Also common (beside laithly) in the mod. dial.] Loathsome, disgusting, repulsive, hateful.(a) a1585 Polw. Flyt. 132 (Harl.).
We shall mell With laidlie language, loud & lairge Ib. 586 (T).
With laidlie lippis and lynning-syd turnd out Ib. 784 (Harl.).
Fast eitand thy laidlie letter 1581-1623 James VI Poems 161/453.
Youre pittiless hande … His memberis all makis laidlie c1590 J. Stewart 227/109.
As vasp or viper laidlie vas hir lyre 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1014 (Ch.).
It was ane laidlie lurdan loun Ib. 4145.
Ane curtill queine, ane laidlie [B. laithly] lurdane a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1082.
Laidlie was your buird it was bored but a womble 1567 G. Ball. 40.
Lickand the fylth furth of his laithlie [1621, laidlie] flesche 1635 Dickson Wr. 28.
His laidly legs and arms covered with sores(b) 1650 Brechin Presb. 23.
That was ane lustie calff of such ane ledlie beast
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"Laidly adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 28 Apr 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/laidly>