adv. Sc. and north. dial. Obs. [Altered from ME. þefly, THIEFLY.] By stealth, furtively.
c. 1400. Sc. Trojan War, II. 27. He gyffande thiftely ws till The palladinar at our will. Ibid., 623. Bycause þe palladinar was Out of þe temple tone thyftly.
a. 1485. Promp. Parv. (MS. S.). Stelyngly (theftely), ffurtiue, latrocinaliter.
1498. Reg. Privy Seal Scot., I. 23/1. ix catell thiftly tane fra Thomas Sowtar.
1515. Nottingham Rec., III. 343. Reyseyvng off oder menys goodes theyftely.
