steevely, adv. Now only Sc.
(ˈstiːvlɪ)
Forms: see steeve a.
[f. steeve a. + -ly2.]
Firmly, unyieldingly.
| 1340 Ayenb. 258 [If] to moche bysy agrayþinge ne were zenne: oure lhorde ne speke naȝt zuo stefliche ine his spelle a-ye þe queade riche þet [etc.]. ? c 1450 Polit. Poems (Rolls) II. 239 Usure and rapyne stefly dothe stande. 1647 in D. M'Naught Kilmaurs (1912) 151 [He was] stievly and sharplie rebukit. 1684 J. Erskine Jrnl. (S.H.S.) 29 Mr. Morison..owned the Covenant stievely before the Justice Court. 1790 A. Wilson Poems & Lit. Prose (1876) II. 90 I'm now stively on my feet. 1816 Scott Bl. Dwarf i, ‘Your father believed it unco stievely, though,’ said the old man. 1880 A. Raleigh Way to City xxv. 315 Our firm-set creeds—stievely, staunchly built, like boats with oaken planks—sail the waters in vain. 1899 Lumsden Edin. Poems 317 And steevely thou thy posts did fill aye! |