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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Maisterfully, adv. Also: maistir-, master-, -yr- and -fulli(e, -fullé. [ME. and e.m.E. maisterfuli, -fullie (1388), masterfully (1457).] Masterfully, in a strong-handed manner, forcibly, with violence; also, wilfully in defiance of authority.(a) 1457 Acts II. 51/1 (see Maisterful(l a. 1 a (a)). — 1471 Banff Ann. I. 20.
Gif it sal happyn thame to be distrublit … or maisterfulli reft be ony parti 1494 Acta Conc. I. 322/1. 1496–7 Ib. II. 67. 1497 Ib. 76.
That … he maisterfully at his aun hand … withhaldis fra thame thare kirkland 1497–8 Ib. 110. 1501 Ib. III. 99. 1522 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 103. 1535 Blackfriars Perth 223. 1554 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 194.
Maisterfulle and on force be way of deid [they] tuke the said Dauids haillwarklomis [etc.] 1556 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 7 Jan.
Quhilk he maisterfully and contempnandly reft fra the saidis officiaris 1561 Reg. Privy C. I. 166, 1563 Ib. 238, etc. 1563–4 Inverness Rec. I. 112. 1565 Ib. 127. 1569 Canongate Ct. Bk. 61. c1575 Balfour Pract. 182. 1588 Burntisland B. Ct. 3 Sept.
The said Hary … cariit away the saidis paccis off woll wilfullie and maisterfullie 1631 Highland P. I. 324.
Having maisterfullie and lawleslie intrudit themselffis in his estait 1643 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. III. 18.
Without any tittill or richt wiolentlie and maisterfullie c1650 Spalding I. 49, 192.(b) 1489 Lennox Mun. 128.
It [the King's murder] is masterfully colourit and mantenit be the parciall persons vnderwritin 1497 Balfour Pract. 543.
Quhen ony persoun masterfullie committis ony sic trespas 1521 Fife Sheriff Ct. 209.
The said Laurence … masterfully & contempnandly passit furtht of court 1564 Inverness Rec. I. 119.
The sade Mergret … tuk the hale fyrre that wes in the hus and mastyrfulle kest the same vpon my sad nowris and barne 1584 Prot. Bk. W. Cumming MS. 57.
[He] violentle and masterfulle evictit … the said Finlay 1586 6th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. 708/1.
Thiftuuslie and masterfullie 1587 Orkney Oppress. 95.
Wranguslie and masterfullie 1665 Melrose Reg. Rec. II. 135. 1697 Stitchill Baron Ct. 126.

b. Vehemently, emphatically. 1621 Perth Kirk S. MS. 30 Apr.
Compeirit Issobell Ffyn and being accuseit anent the lait foule sclander rissin of hir … denyit it maisterfullie to be trew