adv. Now only Sc. Forms: see STEEVE a. [f. STEEVE a. + -LY2.] Firmly, unyieldingly.

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1340.  Ayenb., 258. [It] to moche bysy agrayþinge ne were zenne: oure lhorde ne speke naȝt zuo stefliche ine his spelle a-ye þe queade riche þet [etc.].

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c. 1450[?].  Polit. Poems (Rolls), II. 239. Usure and rapyne stefly dothe stande.

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1647.  in D. M‘Naught, Kilmaurs (1912), 151. [He was] stievly and sharplie rebukit.

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1684.  J. Erskine, Jrnl. (S.H.S.), 29. Mr. Morison … owned the Covenant stievely before the Justice Court.

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1790.  A. Wilson, Poems & Lit. Prose (1876), II. 90. I’m now stively on my feet.

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1816.  Scott, Bl. Dwarf, i. ‘Your father believed it unco stievely, though,’ said the old man.

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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.

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1899.  J. Lumsden, Edinburgh Poems & Songs, 317. And steevely thou thy posts did fill aye!

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