unreasonably

unreasonably (comparative more unreasonably, superlative most unreasonably)

more unreasonably (comparative)
most unreasonably (superlative)

From Middle English unresonably; equivalent to unreasonable + -ly.

He behaved unreasonably.

Fye, you confine your ſelfe moſt vnreaſonably: Come, you muſt go viſit the good Lady that lies in.

c. 1608–1609 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii], page 4, column 2:

When I employ myself upon a paper of morality, I generally consider how I may recommend the particular virtue which I treat of, by the precepts or examples of the ancient heathens; by that means, if possible, to shame those who have greater advantages of knowing their duty, and therefore greater obligations to perform it, into a better course of life: besides that many among us are unreasonably disposed to give a fairer hearing to a pagan philosopher, than to a christian writer.

1711 November 3, Joseph Addison, Richard Steele, “The Spectator”, in Saturday, volume 3, number 213:

When thus gentle, Bessie seemed to me the best, prettiest, kindest being in the world; and I wished most intensely that she would always be so pleasant and amiable, and never push me about, or scold, or task me unreasonably, as she was too often wont to do.

1847 October 16, Currer Bell [pseudonym; Charlotte Brontë], chapter IV, in Jane Eyre. An Autobiography. […], volume I, London: Smith, Elder, and Co., […], →OCLC, page 45:

The team was given an unreasonably short amount of time to put together a presentation.

1737, Jonathan Swift, Letter to Alderman Barber dated 30 March, 1737, in The Works of Dr Jonathan Swift, Edinburgh: J. Balfour, 1766, Volume 11, p. 126,
Thus bishops, deans, and chapters, as well as other corporations, seldom or never let their lands even so high as half the value; and when they raise those rents which are unreasonably low, it is by degrees.

The Senate of the United States has been both extravagantly praised and unreasonably disparaged, according to the predisposition and temper of its various critics.

1885, Woodrow Wilson, chapter 4, in Congressional Government: A Study in American Politics, Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin, page 193:

I get unreasonably angry with John sometimes. I’m sure I never used to be so sensitive. I think it is due to this nervous condition.

1892, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, The Yellow Wallpaper:


howsoever

/ˌhaʊsoʊˈɛvəɹ/

From Middle English howsoevere, how-so-evere, how so evere. By surface analysis, how + so + ever.

Howsoever they pleaded, their pleas went unheard.

The party to this agreement may use the property whensoever and howsoever he or she pleases.

Their evidence, howsoever true it may have been, was not believed.


bechance

/bɪˈt͡ʃɑːns/

[Y]et we haue withſtood them till at the last battayle of Branxſton, where we bechaunce loſt our ſouereigne Lorde, and many noble men, but that was by treaſon of his Lord Chamberleyn, and yet I thinke we wanne the field: […]

1569, Richard Grafton, “Henry the Eyght”, in A Chronicle at Large and Meere History of the Affayres of Englande […], volume II, London: […] Henry Denham, […], for Richarde Tottle and Humffrey Toye, →OCLC, page 1073:


surprisingly

en-adv

surprisingly (comparative more surprisingly, superlative most surprisingly)

more surprisingly (comparative)
most surprisingly (superlative)

The house was surprisingly small for such a numerous family.

Not surprisingly, the electrician didn't come at the time he had said.

François Hollande has moved a step closer to becoming the first Socialist president of France in a generation by beating the incumbent, Nicolas Sarkozy, in the first round of elections. But the surprisingly high vote for the extreme-right candidate, Marine Le Pen, boosted the overall figures for the right and meant that the final runoff vote on 6 May remains on a knife edge.

2012 April 23, Angelique Chrisafis, “François Hollande on top but far right scores record result in French election”, in the Guardian:

In a way that causes surprise because it is unexpected, or unusual.

çuditërisht

in a way that causes surprise because it is unexpected, or unusual


mornings

We are closed mornings.


aborad

aborad (comparative more aborad, superlative most aborad)

more aborad (comparative)
most aborad (superlative)

From ab- (“away from”) + orad (“toward the mouth”), from Latin ōris (“mouth”).

prefix

(anatomy) Away from the oral opening or mouth (compare with ventral)


ominously

en-adv

ominously (comparative more ominously, superlative most ominously)

more ominously (comparative)
most ominously (superlative)

From first to last he was ominously polite, and ominously silent.

1868 January 4 – June 6, [William] Wilkie Collins, “Second Period. The Discovery of the Truth. (1848–1849.) […] [Fourth Narrative. Extracted from the Journal of Ezra Jennings.]”, in The Moonstone. A Romance. […], volume III, London: Tinsley Brothers, […], published 1868, →OCLC, page 195:

His nostrils flared ominously and his fists opened and closed at his sides.

However, the next day dawned ominously with an overcast sky and we postponed our start till 8 o'clock.

1999, Harish Kapadia, “Accident and Rescue in the Nanda Devi Sanctuary”, in Across Peaks & Passes in Kumaun Himalaya, New Delhi: Indus Publishing Company, →ISBN, page 70:

In an ominous manner; with sinister foreboding.


forbiddingly

forbiddingly (comparative more forbiddingly, superlative most forbiddingly)

more forbiddingly (comparative)
most forbiddingly (superlative)


orad

The most common symptom of GERD is heartburn, which is described as substernal burning that moves orad from the xiphoid.

1998, Tadataka Yamada et al., Handbook of Gastroenterology, page 228:

Beginning 8 to 10 sec prior to egestion, the pellet is moved orad by esophageal antiperistalsis.

1999, D. Michael Denbow, “12: Gastrointestinal Anatomy and Physiology”, in G. Causey Whittow, editor, Sturkie's Avian Physiology, page 307:

This is due to the UES moving completely off the sensor as it moves orad with the swallow.

2012, Neeraj Sharma, Janice Freeman, “8: Esophageal Manometry”, in Joel E. Richter, Donald O. Castell, editors, The Esophagus, page 179:

(anatomy) Towards the oral opening (the mouth).


consciously

consciously (comparative more consciously, superlative most consciously)

more consciously (comparative)
most consciously (superlative)

History is almost always distorted by those who write it. It may be consciously changed as in the censorship of certain items, or it may be a reflection of the writer's lack of perception.

1975 December 20, Satya, “Uncensoring Shakespeare's Sonnets”, in Gay Community News, volume 3, number 25, page 16:

In a conscious manner; knowingly, volitionally.

գիտակցաբար

in a conscious manner; knowingly, volitionally


clownishly

clownishly (comparative more clownishly, superlative most clownishly)

more clownishly (comparative)
most clownishly (superlative)

The swift December dusk had come tumbling clownishly after its dull day

1916 December 29, James Joyce, chapter III, in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, New York, N.Y.: B[enjamin] W. Huebsch, →OCLC, page 115:

In a clownish, undignified, or foolish manner; absurdly, ridiculously.


companionably

companionably (comparative more companionably, superlative most companionably)

more companionably (comparative)
most companionably (superlative)

He had been sitting with her, it appeared, most companionably at home, till her usual hour of exercise — Jane Austen, Emma Volume 2, Chapter 6.

In a companionable manner; agreeably, sociably.


unconditionally

unconditionally (comparative more unconditionally, superlative most unconditionally)

more unconditionally (comparative)
most unconditionally (superlative)

German armed forces surrendered unconditionally on May 7. Hostilities in Europe ended officially at midnight, May 8. 1945.

1945 Winston Churchill, Broadcast from the House of Commons, May 8, 1945

I love you unconditionally

2013, Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke, Before Midnight (motion picture), spoken by Jesse (Ethan Hawke):


variably

variably (comparative more variably, superlative most variably)

more variably (comparative)
most variably (superlative)


royally

royally (comparative more royally, superlative most royally)

more royally (comparative)
most royally (superlative)

Unless it was decreed royally, it never got done.

In a royal manner; in a manner having to do with royalty.

He will be royally annoyed if you change his work.


convulsively

convulsively (comparative more convulsively, superlative most convulsively)

more convulsively (comparative)
most convulsively (superlative)

But his words died in a strange gurgling in the throat; the eyes suddenly became fixed; the mouth fell; once he stretched out his hands convulsively, but they instantly relaxed, and his head sunk on Norbourne's arm.

1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Parting”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 321:


afternoons

We are closed afternoons.


perceptibly

perceptibly (comparative more perceptibly, superlative most perceptibly)

more perceptibly (comparative)
most perceptibly (superlative)


preeminently

preeminently (comparative more preeminently, superlative most preeminently)

more preeminently (comparative)
most preeminently (superlative)

[T]he traditional memory of a rural and a sylvan region, such as Warwickshire at that time was, is usually exact as well as tenacious; and, with respect to [William] Shakespeare in particular, we may presume it to have been full and circumstantial through the generation succeeding to his own, not only from the curiosity, and perhaps something of a scandalous interest, which would pursue the motions of one living so large a part of his life at a distance from his wife, but also from the final reverence and honor which would settle upon the memory of a poet so preëminently successful; […]

1850, Thomas De Quincey, “Shakspeare”, in Biographical Essays, Boston, Mass.: Ticknor, Reed, and Fields, →OCLC, page 4:


oftener

A street in Constantinople is a picture which one ought to see once—not oftener.

1869, Mark Twain [pseudonym; Samuel Langhorne Clemens], chapter XXXIII, in The Innocents Abroad, or The New Pilgrims’ Progress; […], Hartford, Conn.: American Publishing Company. […], →OCLC, page 359:

There were more sheebeens in Inverara than churches, which of course was natural enough, for alcohol cannot be put into a condensed state like the Grace of God, to be consumed on or off the premises. It takes up more space and has to be consumed in greater bulk and oftener in order to produce the desired effect.

1923, Liam O'Flaherty, “Tuesday”, in Thy Neighbour's Wife, 1st paperback edition, Wolfhound Press, →ISBN, page 127:

The heavy duty carburetor oil bath cleaner oil should be changed and the oil reservoir cleaned every 5,000 miles or oftener if driving conditions warrant.

1954, Packard, 1955 Clipper Owner's Manual, page 29:


honkin'

honkin' (comparative more honkin', superlative most honkin')

more honkin' (comparative)
most honkin' (superlative)

From honking or honkingly by shortening.


pre-eminently

pre-eminently (comparative more pre-eminently, superlative most pre-eminently)

more pre-eminently (comparative)
most pre-eminently (superlative)

Will not you engage to attend with your eyes steadily fixed on him the whole time—as I shall do—not to lose a word; or only looking off just to note down any sentence pre-eminently beautiful?

1814 May 9, [Jane Austen], chapter V, in Mansfield Park: […], volume II, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 115:


visibly

visibly (comparative more visibly, superlative most visibly)

more visibly (comparative)
most visibly (superlative)

He was visibly upset while reading the news live on air about the school shooting.


chock-a-block

chock-a-block (comparative more chock-a-block, superlative most chock-a-block)

more chock-a-block (comparative)
most chock-a-block (superlative)

The first was my experience of motoring, paddling, and poling a dugout canoe through the Equatorial African swamplands that were once inhabited by people who called themselves Nunu and being struck by the astonishing array of micro-environments packed chock-a-block into a region only 40 kilometers long by 20 kilometers wide.

1999, Robert Harms, Games Against Nature:

The Piney Creek General Store in Story, Wyoming, is chock-a-block filled with an enormous range of miscellaneous paraphernalia that includes groceries, gourmet cooking ingredients, beer and wine, cast-iron cookware, and kitschy souvenirs and gifts.

2007, Becky Mercuri, The Great American Hot Dog Book, page 128:

One room was chock-a-block full, to the ceiling; you couldn't get into that bedroom.

2007, Don Woodland, Simon Bouda, Picking Up the Pieces:

The place is chock-a-block full of old empty bottles on shelves, a collection from around the world.

2010, Kevin C. Mills, Sons and Daughters of the Ocean:

The quay teemed chock-a-block with porters, officials, clumps of overcoated people under umbrellas.

2012, Michèle Roberts, Ignorance, page 218:

I've had a feeling ever since this festival started up that one day I was going to get stuck with a case chock-a-block full of arty people.

2013, Robert Barnard, Death and the Chaste Apprentice:


westwards

The view westwards from here is extremely fine, with the striking flat-topped outline of Blencathra or Saddleback (2,847ft) the most dominant feature, and the Helvellyn range to the left.

1961 October, ""Voyageur"", “The Cockermouth, Keswick & Penrith Railway”, in Trains Illustrated, page 598:


like so

Stand with both arms out, (like) so.


adversely

adversely (comparative more adversely, superlative most adversely)

more adversely (comparative)
most adversely (superlative)


shoreward

"Courage!" he said, and pointed toward the land, / "This mounting wave will roll us shoreward soon."

1832 December (indicated as 1833), Alfred Tennyson, “The Lotos-Eaters”, in Poems, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, stanza I, page 108:


blinding

blinding (comparative more blinding, superlative most blinding)

more blinding (comparative)
most blinding (superlative)

certain 'details' of 'scientifically realized socialism' became blinding obvious

1983, Régis Debray, Critique of Political Reason, page 6:

He made the basket on his second attempt, after an exchange of moves so blinding fast that Derek could barely distinguish them.

1997, Steven Barnes, Blood Brothers, page 190:

I was in a nightmare, and everything was blinding bright, inky black, blinding bright; and fading, and fading

2003, Sally Prue, The Devil's Toenail, page 139:

It's the blinding obvious fact that American football is the real-life equivalent of Quidditch. Or maybe Fireball - the game invented by Joey and Chandler

2005 February 8, “The greatest show on earth”, in Guardian Unlimited:

WHILST IT'S blinding obvious that converged networks are the way to go, it's also apparent that C21 [21st Century] networks won't get rapidly rolled out

2006 November 28, “Converged networks lack adequate business tools”, in Inquirer:

Roger Yates, chief executive officer of Henderson Group Plc in London, which oversees about $125 billion said Greenspan's remarks were "blinding obvious".

2007 May 24, “US Note Yields Near 4-Month High Before Durable Goods Report”, in Bloomberg:

(nonstandard) To an extreme degree; blindingly.


onwards

A Class 158 relegated from express duties turns up to transport me via the flower-bedecked Brighouse station to the trans-Pennine main line at Bradley Junction and onwards to Huddersfield.

2022 November 2, Paul Bigland, “New trains, old trains, and splendid scenery”, in RAIL, number 969, page 57:


humourously

humourously (comparative more humourously, superlative most humourously)

more humourously (comparative)
most humourously (superlative)

(UK, Canada, uncommon, nonstandard) Alternative spelling of humorously


jocularly

jocularly (comparative more jocularly, superlative most jocularly)

more jocularly (comparative)
most jocularly (superlative)

He was in such a good mood that he even managed to take out the rubbish jocularly.

She was not embarrassed at all so she told the story jocularly.

Sullenly, jocularly, resentfully, or derisively, names and addresses were extorted from the company, and each member given a jerk of the head to get out of this.

1938, Norman Lindsay, Age of Consent, 1st Australian edition, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1962, →OCLC, page 160:


offline

The 2000 also emulates Diablo, Qume and NEC letter-quality printers, and has a large enough buffer memory to operate off line from the host computer for an hour.

1982, “Hardware News”, in InfoWorld, volume 4, number 26, page 89:

If you want to keep the phone bill down you can set up your Newsreader to operate offline. This means that your Newsreader will fetch new message headers, collect messages you wish to read, and send any responses you may have set up all in one go. You can then read news offline, while you are not running up the phone bill[…].

2000, Syndey S. Chellen, The Essential Guide to the Internet for Health Professionals, Routledge, →ISBN, page 124:

Men like to play games online, and they also like to find out about the games that they play offline.

2008, Vickie Taylor, The Complete Guide to Writing Web-Based Advertising Copy to Get the Sale, Atlantic Publishing,, →ISBN, page 230:

At meetings, people cut off discussion by saying “Let’s continue that conversation offline,” even though they are meeting face to face, not online; “offline” is a new synonym for “in private,” as though everything public were now on the Internet.

2001, Rosabeth Moss Kantner, Evolve!, Harvard Business Press,, →ISBN, page 1:

The person running the meeting also has the important job of saying “Take it offline.” Whenever two or more people get off on a tangent that doesn’t require everybody’s attention, instruct them to continue the conversation outside the boundaries of the meeting.

2002, Verne Harnish, Mastering the Rockefeller Habits, SelectBooks,, →ISBN, page 88:

Offer to discuss the topic offline or table the discussion until things cool down.

2009, Jennifer B. Kahnweiler, The Introverted Leader, Berrett-Koehler,, →ISBN, page 95:

(business slang) Outside the current meeting, in a more private setting.

I stole the images offline


arse about face

We've been looking at it arse about face.

2005, Sam Smith, The End of Science Fiction, page 179:

‘Look, Mary. That chap is sitting arse about face. He's having a laugh. He can't be serious.’
‘Don't be so critical, George. More than likely it's his first time on a horse.’

2011, Russell Shaw, Easy: A Dogs Life, page 54:

What was it about Charlie Resnick that made him so special? With his shirt still crumpled from the wash and his tie knotted arse-about-face.

2011, John Harvey, Rough Treatment, page 31:

In a manner that is opposite to or the reverse of the way it should be, backwards.

Meanwhile the Law, as usual, tumbles arse about face: the killings multiply; the cops are clueless and duly arrest the wrong man.

2005, John Orr, Hitchcock and 20th Century Cinema, page 67:


externally

externally (comparative more externally, superlative most externally)

more externally (comparative)
most externally (superlative)

In trumpets for assisting the hearing, all reverbation of the trumpet must be avoided. It must be made thick, of the least elastic materials, and covered with cloth externally. For all reverbation lasts for a short time, and produces new sounds which mix with those which are coming in.

1820, Encyclopaedia Britannica; Or A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature, 6th edition, volume 20, Edinburgh: Archibald Constable and Company, page 501:


yus

Yus, to live in dirt, I feel is a `orrid degradation; but one thing I'd like to know, is it wus than living on it?

1892, Punch, or The London Charivari, from:

Wych Street? Yus, of course I knoo Wych Street. Used to go there with some of the boys -- when I was Covent Garden way.

1922, Edward J. O'Brien and John Cournos, compilers and editors, The Best British Short Stories of 1922


agnostically

agnostically (comparative more agnostically, superlative most agnostically)

more agnostically (comparative)
most agnostically (superlative)

“Well,” said the poet tartly, “do people still think me too romantic? Are there, I wonder, any brigands left in the mountains?”
“There may be,” said Father Brown agnostically.

1914, G. K. Chesterton, “The Paradise of Thieves”, in The Wisdom of Father Brown,, London: Cassell, page 45:

[…] he writes agnostically of the biographical information regarding Shakespeare.

1922, Sidney Lee, chapter 6, in The Year’s Work in English Studies, volume 2, Oxford University Press, page 77:

An unambiguous finding from […] the study was the very significant difference between younger and older children in their […] beliefs about Santa Claus and birthday wishes coming true. Younger children, on the whole believed, and older children emphatically disbelieved (with third graders agnostically in between).

1997, Máire Messenger Davies, chapter 5, in Fake, Fact and Fantasy: Children’s Interpretations of Television Reality, Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, page 61:

In an agnostic manner; not having or expressing a firm opinion on something.

She is agnostically inclined, despite her strict religious upbringing.

What you call “God” they refer to agnostically as “the universe.”

[…] we are asked, on philosophical and critical grounds, to treat these not as sure and most vital truths, but agnostically, that is to say, to let them alone and not attempt to settle them.

1878, A. Macleod Symington, “Agnosticism and Dogmatism, from a Puritan Point of view”, in The British and Foreign Evangelical Review, volume 27, page 39:

[…] the number of people who either dogmatically don’t believe in, or else agnostically or uncaringly, simply don’t bother about immortality is now considerable.

1931, Aldous Huxley, “Squeak and Gibber”, in Music at Night and Other Essays, London: Chatto & Windus:

‘[…] all those who believe in God raise your hands. […]’ […] Taliesin is pleased to see his friend’s hand hover agnostically for a time and then commit.

2002, Rhidian Brook, chapter 3, in The Testimony of Taliesin Jones, New York: Penguin, page 23:

Toward, or from the perspective of, agnosticism.


adorably

adorably (comparative more adorably, superlative most adorably)

more adorably (comparative)
most adorably (superlative)

She always said that preschoolers danced adorably, so it was no wonder that she opened a dance school for them.


hereof

From Middle English hereof, herof, heroffe, her-of, her of, from Old English hērof. Compare Swedish härav. By surface analysis, here + of.


unnaturally

unnaturally (comparative more unnaturally, superlative most unnaturally)

more unnaturally (comparative)
most unnaturally (superlative)

From Middle English unnaturelly, equivalent to unnatural + -ly and/or un- + naturally.

Another, with the bump of order unnaturally developed, had his folios and quartos all reduced, in binding, to one size, so that they might look even on his bookshelves.

1902, William Blades, The Enemies of Books, 2nd edition, page 102:

Not unnaturally, “Auntie” took this communication in bad part. Thus outraged, she showed herself to be a bold as well as a furious virago. Next day she found her way to their lodgings and tried to recover her ward by the hair of the head.

1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter XXII, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:

In an unnatural manner; to an unnatural extent.


unanimously

unanimously (comparative more unanimously, superlative most unanimously)

more unanimously (comparative)
most unanimously (superlative)

The jury decided unanimously to convict the defendant.

The US supreme court has ruled unanimously that natural human genes cannot be patented, a decision that scientists and civil rights campaigners said removed a major barrier to patient care and medical innovation.

2013 June 21, Karen McVeigh, “US rules human genes can't be patented”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 2, page 10:

The U.S. Congress on Monday presented the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019 to President Donald Trump for signing into law, after it was passed unanimously by both chambers of Congress earlier this month.

2020 March 17, Stacy Hsu, Ko Lin, Emerson Lim, Frances Huang, “U.S. Congress sends TAIPEI Act to Trump for signing into law”, in Focus Taiwan:

In a unanimous manner; without objection.


sporadically

Valencia threatened sporadically in the first half with Miguel having a decent effort deflected wide by Ashley Cole, while Jordi Alba's near-post cross was flicked into the sidenetting by Pablo Hernandez.

2011 September 28, Jon Smith, “Valencia 1 - 1 Chelsea”, in BBC Sport:

At an occasional, infrequent, or irregular frequency.

esporàdicament

In an occasional, infrequent, or irregular manner


obiter

I will not here stand to discuss obiter, whether stars be causes, or signs; or to apologize for judicial astrology.


side by side

The new houses were built side by side, facing the lake.

The structure was examined and passed by the Board of Trade in February, 1890, after it had been tested with two trains of 50 loaded wagons, each hauled by two engines, and pushed by a third. The trains ran side by side, and their combined weight, including the six engines, was 1,800 tons. The deflections of the girders were precisely in accordance with the calculations of the engineers.

1950 March, H. A. Vallance, “On Foot Across the Forth Bridge”, in Railway Magazine, page 148:

Two lamps mounted side by side about two feet apart will flash alternately and when this happens traffic must stop; disobedience of these signs becomes an offence.

1960 September, “Talking of Trains: New level-crossing signs”, in Trains Illustrated, page 519:

(literally) Beside or alongside one another; close to one another and abreast.

The soldiers of XX and YY were fighting side by side against a common enemy.


wrily

wrily (comparative more wrily, superlative most wrily)

more wrily (comparative)
most wrily (superlative)

But Redburn, from the start, had linked himself to those ambiguous red men, in an image part physical, part wrily metaphysical.

1849, Herman Melville, Redburn, Penguin, published 1986, page 20:

He grinned wrily. “I guess she keeps me on my toes.

1994, Elizabeth Adler, Legacy of Secrets, Island, published 1994, page 434:


triumphantly

triumphantly (comparative more triumphantly, superlative most triumphantly)

more triumphantly (comparative)
most triumphantly (superlative)

Hath not the same fierce heirdom given
Rome to the Caesar—this to me?
The heritage of a kingly mind,
And a proud spirit which hath striven
Triumphantly with human kind.

1829, Edgar Allan Poe, “Tamerlane”, in Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane and Minor Poems:

“Another double,” said the old lady: triumphantly making a memorandum of the circumstance, by placing one sixpence and a battered halfpenny, under the candlestick.

1836 March – 1837 October, Charles Dickens, “(please specify the chapter name)”, in The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1837, →OCLC, page 53:


like nobody's business

His customers reimburse him for the equipment he buys, but he seems to spend money like nobody's business.

(simile, colloquial) In an extreme manner; excessively; like crazy.


osteologically

Concerning only the osteological aspects.


osteohistologically

Concerning only the osteohistological aspects.


only just

I've only just cleaned the floor, and you've made muddy tracks!

I got 51%, so I only just passed the exam.


miserably

miserably (comparative more miserably, superlative most miserably)

more miserably (comparative)
most miserably (superlative)

From Middle English myserablie; equivalent to miserable + -ly.

fail miserably

"Well, sorcerer?" growled the Norman. "Nay, not well," replied Catweazle shivering miserably, "I have the bone-ache."

1971, Richard Carpenter, Catweazle and the Magic Zodiac, Harmondsworth: Puffin Books, page 7:

I just need you miserably
Broken man come to me
I just need you desperately
Just want to change your mind

1999, “Stately Lover”, performed by Lacuna Coil:


aforetime

From Middle English a fore tyme, afore tyme, aforetyme, afortym, a-for-tyme, afortymez; equivalent to afore- + time.

Then I walked about, till I found on the further side, a great river of sweet water, running with a strong current; whereupon I called to mind the boat-raft I had made aforetime and said to myself, "Needs must I make another; haply I may free me from this strait.[…]"

1885, Richard F. Burton, The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Night 564:

(archaic) In time past; in a former time; formerly.


darkling

From Middle English derkelyng, equivalent to dark + -ling.

So, out went the candle, and we were left darkling.

c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv]:

As the wakeful bird sings darkling.

1667, John Milton, “Book III”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:

I had a dream, which was not all a dream. / The bright sun was extinguish'd, and the stars / Did wander darkling in the eternal space, / Rayless, and pathless, and the icy earth / Swung blind and blackening in the moonless air;


mob-handed

mob-handed (comparative more mob-handed, superlative most mob-handed)

more mob-handed (comparative)
most mob-handed (superlative)

The forces of the law waded in mob-handed when, it seems, they ought to have applied a lighter, more consensual touch.

2014 September 5, Boyd Tonkin, “Ashya King showed we still don’t know the limits of liberty”, in The Independent:

(British) As a member of a group, especially one with violent or threatening intent.


da capo al fine

From Italian da capo al fine (literally “from the beginning to the end”).

bor

(music) Repeat from the beginning up to the word fine ("end").


stage left

en-adv

stage left (comparative more stage left, superlative most stage left)

more stage left (comparative)
most stage left (superlative)


stage right

stage right (comparative more stage right, superlative most stage right)

more stage right (comparative)
most stage right (superlative)

Whether Bannon was sacked, resigned or left by mutual agreement – as usual with the Trump administration there are contradictory accounts – is immaterial. His exit, stage right, follows that of a clutch of other senior White House aides and reinforces the impression that his presidency is unravelling chaotically only seven months after he entered the Oval Office.

2017 August 20, “The Observer view on Donald Trump’s presidency”, in The Observer:

(idiomatic, usually with the verb exit or enter) Involving a change of whether one is involved in a situation.


downstage

downstage (comparative more downstage, superlative most downstage)

more downstage (comparative)
most downstage (superlative)

Toward or at the front of a theatrical stage.

Towards a motion-picture or television camera.


tepidly

tepidly (comparative more tepidly, superlative most tepidly)

more tepidly (comparative)
most tepidly (superlative)

But... No. Luján broke his violin. That part definitely happened; he remembers it with distressing clarity. His relationship with Luján has never been much more than tepidly professional, but the man was a professional. To vandalise a precious instrument like that would be unthinkable for him, or anybody in the orchestra. There is something wrong.

2019 April 10, qntm, “CASE HATE RED”, in SCP Foundation, archived from the original on 2024-05-29:


comprehensively

comprehensively (comparative more comprehensively, superlative most comprehensively)

more comprehensively (comparative)
most comprehensively (superlative)

Ferguson, perhaps recalling how United had been comprehensively outfought in the 3-1 defeat at Liverpool last season, opted for a side with a more pragmatic look with Phil Jones moved into a midfield role.

2011 October 15, Phil McNulty, “Liverpool 1 - 1 Man Utd”, in BBC Sport:

In a comprehensive manner; in an all-inclusive or wide-ranging fashion.


cheaply

cheaply (comparative more cheaply, superlative most cheaply)

more cheaply (comparative)
most cheaply (superlative)

"What we are trying to demonstrate is that freight lines at lower speeds can be electrified much more cheaply. […]"

2023 March 22, Paul Clifton, “CILT report urges £50m infill electrification schemes”, in RAIL, number 979, page 8:

In a cheap manner; without expending much money.

(cricket, by extension) For a low score.


unintentionally

unintentionally (comparative more unintentionally, superlative most unintentionally)

more unintentionally (comparative)
most unintentionally (superlative)

"Oh, no! Mason will not defy me; nor knowing it, will he hurt me—but, unintentionally, he might in a moment, by one careless word, deprive me, if not of life, yet for ever of happiness."

1847, Charlotte Brontë, chapter V, in Jane Eyre, 1st edition, volume II, page 132:

Without meaning to, in an unintentional manner, not intentionally.


understandably

understandably (comparative more understandably, superlative most understandably)

more understandably (comparative)
most understandably (superlative)

Understandably, he was too embarrassed to speak.

Embarrassed, he understandably refused to speak.

He was understandably embarrassed, and could not speak.

Everton were, perhaps understandably, deflated at the setback and it was no surprise when Suarez added Liverpool's second after 82 minutes. Distin and Baines were involved in a mix-up as the Uruguayan advanced into the area, and he was not about to pass up the gift to shoot low past Howard.

2011 October 1, Phil McNulty, “Everton 0 - 2 Liverpool”, in BBC Sport:

For reasons that are easy to understand or sympathise with.

When presenting in front of the class, take care to speak clearly and understandably.


incisively

incisively (comparative more incisively, superlative most incisively)

more incisively (comparative)
most incisively (superlative)

`Yesterday,' said Rupert Hardman, incisively, forensically.

1958, Anthony Burgess, The Enemy in the Blanket (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 230:


barefooted

barefooted (comparative more barefooted, superlative most barefooted)

more barefooted (comparative)
most barefooted (superlative)


minutely

minutely (comparative more minutely, superlative most minutely)

more minutely (comparative)
most minutely (superlative)

To describe them in full, and to recount minutely the ideas held by the Japanese rustics concerning them, would be to compile an octavo work on dragonology.

1913, William Elliot Griffis, The Mikado's Empire (book 2, page 478)


prevocalically

Immediately preceding a vowel or vowel sound.


grisly

grisly (comparative more grisly, superlative most grisly)

more grisly (comparative)
most grisly (superlative)

From grisle (“horror, terror”) + -ly; compare Middle Dutch griselike, Middle Low German grislike.

[A] very fair young gentlewoman [Sir Roger Wentworth's daughter], of twelve years of age, in marvellous manner vexed and tormented by our ghostly enemy, the devil, her mind alienated and raving, with despising and blaspheming of God, and hatred of all hallowed things, […] finally being brought and laid before the image of our blessed lady, was there, in the sight of many worshipful people, so grievously tormented, and in face, eyes, look, and countenance, so grisly changed, with her mouth drawn aside, and her eyes laid out upon her cheeks, that it was a terrible sight to behold. And after many marvellous things, […] restored to their good state, perfectly cured and suddenly.

1850, William Tyndale, quoting Thomas More, “[The Solutions and Answers unto M. More’s First Book.] The Sixteenth Chapter”, in Henry Walter, editor, An Answer to Sir Thomas More’s Dialogue, The Supper of the Lord after the True Meaning of John VI. and 1 Cor. XI. and Wm. Tracy’s Testament Expounded. By William Tyndale, Martyr, 1536. Edited for the Parker Society, by the Rev. Henry Walter, B.D. F.R.S. [...], Cambridge: Printed at the University Press, →OCLC, page 90, footnote:

A valiant Captain of great prowess, as fierce as a fox assaulting a goose, was so hardy to give the first stroke: then got they so grisly together, that great was the activity that day to be seen there on both sides: the one very eager for purchase of prey, the other utterly stout for redemption of liberty: thus, quarrel enflamed the fury on both sides: twice the Danes had the better, but at the last conflict, beaten down, overcome, and many led captive for triumph by our English women.

1870, George Adlard, “A Letter: Whearin Part of the Entertainment unto the Queen’s Majesty at Killingworth Castl in Warwiksheer in this Somers Progress—1575 is Signified: From a Freend Officer Attendant in the Court unto His Freend a Citizen and Merchaunt of London. [...] With Explanatory Notes.”, in Amye Robsart and the Earl of Leycester; a Critical Inquiry into the Authenticity of the Various Statements in Relation to the Death of Amye Robsart, and of the Libels on the Earl of Leycester, with a Vindication of the Earl by His Nephew Sir Philip Sydney. And a History of Kenilworth Castle, including an Account of the Splendid Entertainment Given to Queen Elizabeth by the Earl of Leycester, in 1575, from the Works of Robert Laneham and George Gascoigne; together with Memoirs and Correspondence of Sir Robert Dudley, Son of the Earl of Leycester, London: John Russell Smith, 36 Soho Square, →OCLC, page 142:

(obsolete) In a horrible or terrible manner; in a terrifying way.


vulgarly

vulgarly (comparative more vulgarly, superlative most vulgarly)

more vulgarly (comparative)
most vulgarly (superlative)

Rosemary peeled off Sloane Square, Hartnell, decorations-will-be-worn, fog primroses, crumpets by the fire, and let fly vulgarly at Vythilingam.

1959, Anthony Burgess, Beds in the East (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 498:

In a vulgar manner; obscenely or unrefinedly.

The last, the knotted fucus, which has long slender stalks, leaves small, bulbs or vesicles in the middle of the stalks, vulgarly called eelwrack, is most esteemed by our kelp-makers.


mysteriously

mysteriously (comparative more mysteriously, superlative most mysteriously)

more mysteriously (comparative)
most mysteriously (superlative)

'Are there any hares about here?' I asked. 'Well, there are some left to be sure,' answered the peasant; 'on the Sukkestad-moor there is an old jack-hare, which many a hound and sportsman have been after, but he is not so easily killed, it appears.' And the worthy peasant shook his head somewhat mysteriously.

1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 76:

I put my finger to the side of my nose and nodded mysteriously.

1899 February, Joseph Conrad, “The Heart of Darkness”, in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, volume CLXV, number M, New York, N.Y.: The Leonard Scott Publishing Company, […], →OCLC, part I, page 219:

At that moment a long, scraggy individual in a checked suit poked his head into the bar, looked around portentously, whistled mysteriously to my informant, and jerked his thumb and head in the direction of the door.

1946, George Johnston, Skyscrapers in the Mist, page 121:


endlessly

endlessly (comparative more endlessly, superlative most endlessly)

more endlessly (comparative)
most endlessly (superlative)

From Middle English endelesly, from Old English endelēaslīċe; equivalent to endless + -ly.

Endlessly
 I'm counting down the days
 When you will come my way
 Endlessly
 I fall asleep to dream
 And you're here again it seems, endlessly

2010, “Endlessly”, in Endlessly, performed by Duffy:

In an endless manner; continuously without limit.


vulnerably

vulnerably (comparative more vulnerably, superlative most vulnerably)

more vulnerably (comparative)
most vulnerably (superlative)


to say the least

The 9/11 attacks weren't very good for America. / To say the least!

His performance, to say the least, didn't impress me.

"We are very proud of the successful launch of the Elizabeth line. It was very reliable at the start, but the last six months have been challenging, to say the least.

2024 March 6, Paul Clifton, “Network News: NR launches Reading-Paddington recovery operation”, in RAIL, number 1004, page 7:

(idiomatic) Used to suggest an understatement.

blago rečeno

благо речено


viscerally

viscerally (comparative more viscerally, superlative most viscerally)

more viscerally (comparative)
most viscerally (superlative)

The soldier was wounded viscerally and was expected to die of gangrene.

Literally, in a manner that affects the viscera or gut.

The shock of my friend's decapitation affected me viscerally, and I became paralyzed with dread.

In a visceral manner; in a way that affects one's inner core or produces overwhelming emotions.


argutely

argutely (comparative more argutely, superlative most argutely)

more argutely (comparative)
most argutely (superlative)

1762, You are wrong,—said my father argutely, and for this plain reason — Laurence Sterne, The Life & Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (Penguin 2003, p. 352)


overarm

/ˈəʊvəɹˌɑː(ɹ)m/

/ˌəʊvəɹˈɑː(ɹ)m/

In cricket, one must only bowl overarm.

Having the hand above the arm at the time of throwing


opposingly

opposingly (comparative more opposingly, superlative most opposingly)

more opposingly (comparative)
most opposingly (superlative)


aerially

aerially (comparative more aerially, superlative most aerially)

more aerially (comparative)
most aerially (superlative)

Some months later it was determined that the infection resisted containment measures so easily because it was transmitted aerially.

Via the air, as in aerial transmission of diseases.


aerobically

aerobically (comparative more aerobically, superlative most aerobically)

more aerobically (comparative)
most aerobically (superlative)


aerodynamically

aerodynamically (comparative more aerodynamically, superlative most aerodynamically)

more aerodynamically (comparative)
most aerodynamically (superlative)

In an aerodynamic manner, in a manner which reduces drag.

Aerodynamically, your ideas will never get off the ground.


precariously

precariously (comparative more precariously, superlative most precariously)

more precariously (comparative)
most precariously (superlative)

A Greater Anglia Class 755 stands precariously close to where ballast has been washed away at Haddiscoe on January 30.

2022 February 9, “Network News”, in RAIL, page 27, photo caption:


whereafter

/wɛəɹˈæftə(ɹ)/

/wɛəɹˈɑːftə(ɹ)/

/ʍɛəɹˈæftə(ɹ)/

/ʍɛəɹˈɑːftə(ɹ)/

It is a matter for it to determine whether to make such application, whereafter the Trial Chamber will determine whether the material is so admissible


advisably

advisably (comparative more advisably, superlative most advisably)

more advisably (comparative)
most advisably (superlative)


advisedly

advisedly (comparative more advisedly, superlative most advisedly)

more advisedly (comparative)
most advisedly (superlative)

With intentionality, and deliberately, usually also with a connotation of due consideration and wise choosing.


adverbially

Here the use is not part of a predication but does not seem to be merely adverbially subordinate.

1991, Frances Austin, “Points of English Syntax 1968-1983”, in Ingrid Tieken-Boon van Ostade, John Frankis, N. E. Osselton, editors, Language usage and description: studies presented to N.E. Osselton ..., page 182:


una corda

(music) In piano music, the notation indicating that the player depresses the soft pedal, altering, and reducing the volume of the sound. In many pianos, this results in the hammer striking two strings rather than three as in tre corde. Originally, it would have struck one string, but modern pianos have their strings too close together to achieve a true una corda - the movement of the hammers would result in also hitting the first string of the next note.


recklessly

recklessly (comparative more recklessly, superlative most recklessly)

more recklessly (comparative)
most recklessly (superlative)

From Middle English reklesly, from Old English rēcelēaslīce; equivalent to reckless + -ly.

Thanks to that penny he had just spent so recklessly [on a newspaper] he would pass a happy hour, taken, for once, out of his anxious, despondent, miserable self. It irritated him shrewdly to know that these moments of respite from carking care would not be shared with his poor wife, with careworn, troubled Ellen.

1913, Mrs. [Marie] Belloc Lowndes, chapter I, in The Lodger, London: Methuen, →OCLC; republished in Novels of Mystery: The Lodger; The Story of Ivy; What Really Happened, New York, N.Y.: Longmans, Green and Co., […], [1933], →OCLC, page 0056:

Zoe popped her head up to watch in terror through a little window, as they spread chaos and carnage in their wake, not to mention quite a few broken-off wing mirrors. Burt was driving so recklessly, she was frightened he would kill them both.

2012, David Walliams [pseudonym; David Edward Williams], Ratburger, London: HarperCollins Children’s Books, →ISBN:

In a rash or reckless manner, without regard for cost or consequence

With contempt for the rights, feelings, or well-being of others.


administratively

The country is divided administratively into 12 districts.

In an administrative manner, or for purposes of administration.


polyphonically

In a polyphonic manner; using polyphony.


comodo

Borrowed from Italian comodo. Doublet of commode.

(music) Comfortable, that is, at moderate speed.


tre corde

Borrowed from Italian tre corde (“three strings”).

bor+

(music) Musical notation indicating that the player release the soft pedal of the piano. In many pianos, this results in the hammer striking three string rather than one as in una corda.


capriccioso

From Italian capriccioso. Cognate with capricious.


advantageously

en-adv

advantageously (comparative more advantageously, superlative most advantageously)

more advantageously (comparative)
most advantageously (superlative)

[…] ſtill he thought no more than that being ſo young, the largeneſs of his machine (for few men could diſpute ſize with him) made all the difficulty, and that poſſibly I had not been enjoy’d by any ſo advantageouſly made in that part as himſelf; […]

1749, [John Cleland], “[Letter the First]”, in Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure [Fanny Hill], volume I, London: […] [Thomas Parker] for G. Fenton [i.e., Fenton and Ralph Griffiths] […], →OCLC, page 106:

In a manner which provides an advantage; in an advantageous manner.


sostenuto

(music) played in a sustained manner beyond the note's normal value


affectingly

affectingly (comparative more affectingly, superlative most affectingly)

more affectingly (comparative)
most affectingly (superlative)


affirmatively

affirmatively (comparative more affirmatively, superlative most affirmatively)

more affirmatively (comparative)
most affirmatively (superlative)

From Middle English affirmativeli, equivalent to affirmative + -ly.


sforzando

sforzando (comparative more sforzando, superlative most sforzando)

more sforzando (comparative)
most sforzando (superlative)


affluently

affluently (comparative more affluently, superlative most affluently)

more affluently (comparative)
most affluently (superlative)


leastaways

She was a bright and industrious student, smarter than many of her classmates, leastaways.

Anyway; at least; regardless. Indicates support or degree of a previous statement.


afoul

afoul (comparative more afoul, superlative most afoul)

more afoul (comparative)
most afoul (superlative)

The ships’ lines and sails were all afoul.

After paying out chain, we swung clear, but our anchors were no doubt afoul of hers.

1840, Richard Henry Dana Jr., chapter 15, in Two Years Before the Mast, New York: Harper & Bros., page 137:

1849, William F. Lynch, The Naval Officer, Chapter 2, in Graham’s Magazine, Volume 34, Number 3, March 1849,
The atmosphere was soon thick and stifling, and the crews were working their guns with the energy of desperation, when a severe concussion, followed by a harsh and grating sound, told that the ships were afoul.

(archaic, principally nautical) In a state of collision or entanglement.

He had a knack for running afoul of the law.

What the devil’s the matter with me? I don’t stand right on my legs. Coming afoul of that old man has a sort of turned me wrong side out.

1851 November 14, Herman Melville, “Chapter 20”, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC:

A hemispheric axiom has it that when a dictator falls afoul of Washington, his opponents are emboldened to try to topple him.

1957 December 15, “Still in Business”, in Time:

Kings came to hear [Vivaldi’s] concerts but in the end he ran afoul of the Pope’s nuncio and fell out of favor, presumably for neglecting to say Mass […]

1979, Bernard Malamud, chapter 2, in Dubin’s Lives, New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, page 79:

He committed acts which put him afoul of Empire law, details classified, twenty-six years ago.

1993, Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle, The Gripping Hand, New York: Pocket Books, published 1994, Part 1, Chapter 3, p. 28:

(with of) In a state of entanglement or conflict (with).

sotkussa

in a state of entanglement or conflict (with)


afield

afield (comparative more afield, superlative most afield)

more afield (comparative)
most afield (superlative)

From Middle English afeld, a-felde, o felde, on felde, from Old English on felde (“afield”, literally “in (the) field”), equivalent to a- (“on”) + field.

inh

Whether things could have been different is an open question, and one that would take us far afield from the focus of this book.

1999, Jacob S. Hacker, The Road to Nowhere: The Genesis of President Clinton's Plan for Healthy Security, →ISBN, page 118:

There were Christians developing notable traditions somewhat away from the Mediterranean and outside the Roman empire, in places like Armenia, or even further afield, in India

2002, Philip F. Esler, The Early Christian World, →ISBN, page 3:

My fellow passengers are a mixture of people returning from a day out in the capital, locals doing short hops, and a few (like me) heading farther afield.

2020 December 2, Paul Bigland, “My weirdest and wackiest Rover yet”, in Rail, page 68:

Away (from the home or starting point, physical or conceptual); usually preceded by far (or farther, further).

We now have both teams afield and can begin the match.

The merchant was much interested in my journey, and thought it dangerous to sleep afield.

1879, Robert Louis Stevenson, Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes, page 116:

Meanwhile, witch Tituba, Tonight you sleep afield, molest not this house. Return here early for your judgement.

2000, Robert Manns, Night of the Frogs & Sautee and Nacoochee, →ISBN, page 27:


aggravatingly

en-adv

aggravatingly (comparative more aggravatingly, superlative most aggravatingly)

more aggravatingly (comparative)
most aggravatingly (superlative)


agonizingly

agonizingly (comparative more agonizingly, superlative most agonizingly)

more agonizingly (comparative)
most agonizingly (superlative)

The hour I waited for the pain medication to take effect dragged on agonizingly.

Friday afternoons always seem to be agonizingly prolonged.

Leisurely the long hours ticked into nothingness, yet there was no sound from him. Would he go in the night, as he did before from Stein's, without a word? Ursula's heart quickened agonizingly, though she lay still, tingling with the thought.

1907, Barbara Baynton, edited by Sally Krimmer and Alan Lawson, Human Toll (Portable Australian Authors: Barbara Baynton), St Lucia: University of Queensland Press, published 1980, page 261:

In an agonizing manner; in a way that causes agony.


agilely

agilely (comparative more agilely, superlative most agilely)

more agilely (comparative)
most agilely (superlative)


sequaciously

sequaciously (comparative more sequaciously, superlative most sequaciously)

more sequaciously (comparative)
most sequaciously (superlative)

"Halleluja!" bleated the crowd sequaciously.

1989, Nick Cave, And the Ass Saw the Angel:


noo

From Old English nū, Middle English nou, in dialects without the shift /uː/ → /aʊ/.


dirt cheap

dirt cheap (comparative more dirt cheap, superlative most dirt cheap)

more dirt cheap (comparative)
most dirt cheap (superlative)

Dirty deeds and they're done dirt cheap.

1976, AC/DC (lyrics and music), “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap”:

(informal) Very cheaply; at an easily affordable price.


algebraically

algebraically (comparative more algebraically, superlative most algebraically)

more algebraically (comparative)
most algebraically (superlative)

From algebraic + -ally, alternatively algebraical + -ly.


alcoholically

alcoholically (comparative more alcoholically, superlative most alcoholically)

more alcoholically (comparative)
most alcoholically (superlative)

They stumbled alcoholically upstairs and into bed.

an alcoholically fermented cereal liquid containing catechin

(not comparable) By means of, or in terms of, alcohol.


venally

venally (comparative more venally, superlative most venally)

more venally (comparative)
most venally (superlative)

In a venal fashion; mercenarily or in a manner subject to corruption.


just like that

We were jogging slowly in the park when, just like that, she collapsed.

(idiomatic) Suddenly and unexpectedly; without warning.


morphologically

Although Roellobryon is morphologically similar to Rhodobryum and Rosulabryum, recent molecular studies suggest that it is closer to Mniaceae than Bryaceae.

2014, Flora of North America North of Mexico, page 186:

In a typical lexicalist approach (e.g. Koontz-Garboden 2006), the unmarked lexeme is taken as lexically listed, even if its meaning (as it often does) includes templatic entailments, and the derivational morphology is taken to operate on the underived form to yield the derived form. This is the case not only morphologically, but also semantically.

2014 September 25, Rochelle Lieber, Pavol Stekauer, editors, The Oxford Handbook of Derivational Morphology, page 347:


precociously

precociously (comparative more precociously, superlative most precociously)

more precociously (comparative)
most precociously (superlative)


viciously

viciously (comparative more viciously, superlative most viciously)

more viciously (comparative)
most viciously (superlative)

From Middle English viciously; equivalent to vicious + -ly.

In a vicious manner; ferociously or maliciously.


unseasonably

Long periods of unseasonably humid weather may make it difficult to complete drying quickly enough. Many farmers are using supplemental heating equipment to avoid this possibility.

1960, Alfred Stefferud, Yearbook of Agriculture, page 188:


allergically

allergically (comparative more allergically, superlative most allergically)

more allergically (comparative)
most allergically (superlative)

In an allergic manner; because of allergies.


indecorously

indecorously (comparative more indecorously, superlative most indecorously)

more indecorously (comparative)
most indecorously (superlative)

In an indecorous manner; conflicting with accepted standards of conduct or good taste.


affectedly

affectedly (comparative more affectedly, superlative most affectedly)

more affectedly (comparative)
most affectedly (superlative)

1614, Thomas Lodge (translator), The Workes of Lucius Annæus Seneca, London: William Stansby, Epistles to Lucilius, Epist. 115, p. 463,
The speech is the Image of the minde: if a man mince it, disguise and polish it ouer curiously, it is a signe that he which speaketh it, is an hypocrite, and little worth. It is no manly ornament to speake affectedly.

I was resolved to decline all imitations for the future, and stick to the original, uncouth as it might be. Better, thought I, to be naturally clownish, than affectedly ridiculous […]

1776, Samuel Jackson Pratt, chapter 68, in Liberal Opinions, volume 4, London: G. Robinson & J. Bew, pages 4–5:

Her manners shewed good sense and good breeding; they were neither shy, nor affectedly open […]

1803 (date written), [Jane Austen], chapter VIII, in Northanger Abbey; published in Northanger Abbey: And Persuasion. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: John Murray, […], 20 December 1817 (indicated as 1818), →OCLC, page 114:

Schomberg turned up, yawning affectedly, almost before Davidson had regained his seat.

1915, Joseph Conrad, chapter 7, in Victory, New York: Modern Library, published 1921, page 57:

In an affected manner; hypocritically; with more show than reality.

[…] letters sadly penn’d in blood,
With sleided silk feat and affectedly
Enswathed, and seal'd to curious secrecy.

1609, William Shakespeare, “A Louers Complaint”, in Shake-speares Sonnets. […], London: By G[eorge] Eld for T[homas] T[horpe] and are to be sold by William Aspley, →OCLC:

1628, John Earle, Micro-cosmographie, or, A Peece of the World Discovered; in Essayes and Characters, London: Edward Blount, 55. “A stayed Man,”
One not hasty to pursue the new Fashion, nor yet affectedly true to his old round Breeches.

[…] the Excelsi or high places mentioned in the sacred Story, wherein the Heathen performed idolatrous rites unto their Idols, were commonly groves, affectedly sited upon some mountainous place, without any House or Temple.

1655, Inigo Jones, The Most Notable Antiquity of Great Britain, Vulgarly Called Stone-Heng on Salisbury Plain Restored, London: Daniel Pakeman, page 10:

I have affectedly made use of this measure here […] because, I think, it would be of general convenience, that this should be the common measure in the Commonwealth of Letters.

1689 (indicated as 1690), [John Locke], chapter 10, in An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding. […], London: […] Eliz[abeth] Holt, for Thomas Basset, […], →OCLC, book IV, page 314:

(obsolete) With intention, intentionally, deliberately.


alertly

alertly (comparative more alertly, superlative most alertly)

more alertly (comparative)
most alertly (superlative)

Behind one of the old oaks which we have described in the preceding chapter, shrouding himself from observation like a hunter watching for his game, or an Indian for his enemy, but with different, very different purpose, Tyrrel lay on his breast near the Buck-stane, his eye on the horse-road which winded down the valley, and his ear alertly awake to every sound which mingled with the passing breeze, or with the ripple of the brook.

1823 December 23 (indicated as 1824), [Walter Scott], chapter 9, in St Ronan’s Well. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Edinburgh: […] [James Ballantyne and Co.] for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co., →OCLC:

I walked fast to avoid being overtaken. Every crossing was a danger, every passenger a thing to watch alertly.

1897, H[erbert] G[eorge] Wells, chapter 23, in The Invisible Man: A Grotesque Romance, New York, N.Y., London: Harper & Brothers Publishers, →OCLC:

Miss Baker and I exchanged a short glance consciously devoid of meaning. I was about to speak when she sat up alertly and said “Sh!” in a warning voice.

1925, F[rancis] Scott Fitzgerald, chapter 1, in The Great Gatsby, New York, N.Y.: Charles Scribner’s Sons, published 1953, →ISBN, →OCLC:

She was wearing tight white shorts and a grey tank top of Jasper’s, in which her small breasts moved alertly.

2004, Alan Hollinghurst, The Line of Beauty […], 1st US edition, New York, N.Y.: Bloomsbury Publishing, →ISBN:


single-handed

"Got those [sc. scars] with a broken bottle, arresting two toughs at once," he said, replacing his cap. "Run them in single-handed and had a set-to in the cell with them on top of it."

1938, Norman Lindsay, Age of Consent, 1st Australian edition, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1962, →OCLC, page 21:


vengefully

vengefully (comparative more vengefully, superlative most vengefully)

more vengefully (comparative)
most vengefully (superlative)

In a vengeful manner; vindictively, or done in vengeance.


verbosely

verbosely (comparative more verbosely, superlative most verbosely)

more verbosely (comparative)
most verbosely (superlative)

In a verbose manner; in a fashion employing more lengthy phrasing, using extraneous words, making use of superfluous verbiage, applying more grandiose verbal construction, etc., than is strictly required, necessary, or desirable, in order to convey the essential nature of the communication.


mair

From Middle English mair, mare, from Old English māra (“more”), from Proto-Germanic *maizô. More at more.


obsequiously

obsequiously (comparative more obsequiously, superlative most obsequiously)

more obsequiously (comparative)
most obsequiously (superlative)

Whilſt I a while obſequiouſly lament
 The vntimely fall of vertuous Lancaſter:[…]

c. 1593 (date written), [William Shakespeare], The Tragedy of King Richard the Third. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Valentine Sims [and Peter Short] for Andrew Wise, […], published 1597, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii]:


verbally

verbally (comparative more verbally, superlative most verbally)

more verbally (comparative)
most verbally (superlative)

Dumbstruck with joy, she was unable to express herself verbally, but the gratitude in her face was evident to all.

In a verbal manner; with words; by speaking.


venturesomely

venturesomely (comparative more venturesomely, superlative most venturesomely)

more venturesomely (comparative)
most venturesomely (superlative)

In a manner that is bold and willing to take risks; adventurously.


venturously

venturously (comparative more venturously, superlative most venturously)

more venturously (comparative)
most venturously (superlative)

In a venturous manner; daringly; in a fashion displaying boldness, or an enterprising spirit.


veraciously

veraciously (comparative more veraciously, superlative most veraciously)

more veraciously (comparative)
most veraciously (superlative)

...take the following pages, as you do some long and gossippy letter written for you by a relative or friend traveling through distant scenes and incidents, and jotting them down lazily and informally, but ever veraciously ...

1888, Walt Whitman, November Boughs; from Complete Poetry and Collected Prose, 1855-1892:

In a veracious manner; honestly; truthfully.


slowest

superlative form of slow (adverb): most slow


verdantly

verdantly (comparative more verdantly, superlative most verdantly)

more verdantly (comparative)
most verdantly (superlative)

Let thy loveliness fade as it will; / And, around the dear ruin each wish of my heart / Would entwine itself verdantly still!

1808, “Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms”, in Thomas Moore (lyrics), Irish Melodies:

With that she left me, and soon returned with a volume, verdantly bound, and garnished with a curious frontispiece in green,—nothing less, than a fragment of real moss cunningly pressed to a fly-leaf.

1850, Herman Melville, Hawthorne and His Mosses:

In a verdant manner; in a fashion indicating greenness (green color.)

In a verdant manner; in a fashion indicating greenness (naivety.)


swimmingly

swimmingly (comparative more swimmingly, superlative most swimmingly)

more swimmingly (comparative)
most swimmingly (superlative)

From swimming (“(adj.) moving in water as an ordinary means of motion; without difficulty”) + -ly (suffix forming adverbs from adjectives).

suffix

Bear your Hips ſwimmingly, tholl loll, loll, / Keep your Eyes languiſhing, tholl loll, loll, […]

1719, T[homas] d’Urfey, “A Song”, in Wit and Mirthː Or Pills to Purge Melancholy; being a Collection of the Best Merry Ballads and Songs, Old and New. […], volume II, London: Printed by W. Pearson, for J[acob] Tonson, […], →OCLC, page 171:

By the angels who tear forth the ſouls of ſome with violence; and by thoſe who draw forth the ſouls of others with gentleneſs; by thoſe who glide ſwimmingly through the air with the commands of God; […]: on a certain day, the diſturbing blaſt of the trumpet ſhall diſturb the univerſe; and the ſubſequent blaſt ſhall follow it.

1734, “Chapter LXXIX. Intituled, Those Who Tear forth; Revealed at Mecca.”, in George Sale, transl., The Koran, Commonly Called The Alcoran of Mohammed, Translated into English Immediately from the Original Arabic; […], London: […] C. Ackers […], for J. Wilcox […], →OCLC, page 479:

The memorable exploit of the noble Secretary in rescuing his friend's dog from merciless winds and waters, deserves to be recorded in letters of gold— […] [W]hen, shortly afterwards, he jumped into the water for this heroic purpose, it was said, that a person who went on so swimmingly, could never get Down, even in the water.

1807, Horatius [pseudonym; Horace Twiss], St. Stephen’s Chapel: A Satirical Poem, London: Printed for James Ridgway, […], by J. B. Bell, […], →OCLC, footnote, pages 15–16:

After drawing a correct outline, wash a little "indigo" or "ultramarine" faintly and swimmingly upon the forehead, between the eyes and corners of the mouth;— […]

1833, Henry Harrison, “Miniature-painting”, in Instructions for the Mixture of Water-colours, Adapted to the Various Styles of Miniature Painting; and also to Landscape, Flower, and Fruit Painting. […], 3rd edition, London: J. Souter, […], →OCLC, pages 8–9:

With a gliding motion suggesting swimming.

sulavasti

with a gliding motion suggesting swimming

[…] I'faith; how ſwimmingly would this pretty little / Ambling Filly carry a man of my body!

1668, George Etherege, She Wou’d if She Cou’d, a Comedy. […], London: […] [John Macocke] for H[enry] Herringman, […], →OCLC, Act III, scene iii, page 48:

The secretary would not go so far to satisfy the whigs in the house of commons; but there all went swimmingly.

1712 June 11, Jonathan Swift, “[Dr. Swift’s Journal to Stella.] Letter XLVII. London, May 31, 1712 [Julian calendar].”, in Thomas Sheridan, compiler, The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, D.D., Dean of St. Patrick’s, Dublin. […] in Nineteen Volumes, new edition, volume XV, London: Printed for J[oseph] Johnson, [et al.], published 1801, →OCLC, page 305:

[T]he negociation goes on swimmingly—inasmuch as there is no prospect of its ever coming to a close. Nothing is lost by these delays and obstacles but time; and in a negociation, according to the theory I have exposed, all time lost, is in reality so much time gained—with what delightful paradoxes, does the modern arcana of political economy abound!

1809, Diedrich Knickerbocker [pseudonym; Washington Irving], chapter III, in A History of New York, from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty. […], volume II, New York, N.Y.: Inskeep & Bradford, […], →OCLC, book V, page 24:

She had a turn for narrative, I for analysis; she liked to inform, I to question; so we got on swimmingly together, deriving much entertainment, if not much improvement, from our mutual intercourse.

1847 October 16, Currer Bell [pseudonym; Charlotte Brontë], chapter IX, in Jane Eyre. An Autobiography. […], volume I, London: Smith, Elder, and Co., […], →OCLC, page 141:

Things went swimmingly with George. He had weathered a crisis, and was now full of confidence, as well as the show of it.

1888, George MacDonald, “The Gambler and the Collector”, in The Elect Lady, London: Kegan Paul, Trench & Co. […], →OCLC, page 211:

[A]t any rate I got along swimmingly. The travelling men, after a moment or two of embarrassed diffidence, treated me quite as one of themselves and asked me about my "line" with interest.

1917, Christopher Morley, chapter 12, in Parnassus on Wheels, New York, N.Y.: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, →OCLC, pages 153–154:

If all goes swimmingly, the bill could reach the President's desk by year end.

2001 July 2, Daniel Kadlec, “Finally, Help with Your 401(k)”, in Time, New York, N.Y.: Time Warner Publishing, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2013-06-30:

(figuratively, informal) In a very favourable manner; without difficulty; agreeably, successfully.

как по ма́слу (kak po máslu, literally “like on oil”)


veritably

en-adv

veritably (comparative more veritably, superlative most veritably)

more veritably (comparative)
most veritably (superlative)

My comfort was, that it happened a long time ago, and that he had doubtless been transported a long way off, and that he was dead to me, and might be veritably dead into the bargain.

1860 December – 1861 August, Charles Dickens, Great Expectations […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: Chapman and Hall, […], published October 1861, →OCLC:

A book with veritably no shading or subtlety

1988 April 9, Elizabeth Pincus, “So Precious A Love”, in Gay Community News, page 7:

In a veritable manner; in a way that truly and accurately describes something.


extraordinarily

extraordinarily (comparative more extraordinarily, superlative most extraordinarily)

more extraordinarily (comparative)
most extraordinarily (superlative)

All this was extraordinarily distasteful to Churchill. It was ugly, gross. Never before had he felt such repulsion when the vicar displayed his characteristic bluntness or coarseness of speech. In the present connexion […] such talk had been distressingly out of place.

1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter XII, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:


anaerobically

anaerobically (comparative more anaerobically, superlative most anaerobically)

more anaerobically (comparative)
most anaerobically (superlative)

Humans can metabolize both aerobically and anaerobically, the latter generally in high stress situations.

In an anaerobic manner; in a way that does not require oxygen. Generally used of metabolic processes.


truthfully

truthfully (comparative more truthfully, superlative most truthfully)

more truthfully (comparative)
most truthfully (superlative)

He spoke truthfully.

Truthfully, I didn't suspect a thing.


so fashion

Perhaps a calque of Cantonese 噉樣／噉样 (gam2 joeng6-2, “like this; so”, literally “such + appearance”).

calque

1849, Samuel Wells Williams, The Middle Kingdom
“So fashion, eh?” rejoined my friend; “how muchee plice can catchee one alla same same for that?”

1875, James Fowler Rusling, Across America; or, The Great West and the Pacific Coast
Lookee sharp—so fashion—alla same mi

Certain adverbs may take the suffix of manner fæšən, which does not change their meaning: sṓfæšən ‘thusly,’ […]

1944, Robert A. Hall, Jr., Chinese Pidgin English Grammar and Texts, in Journal of the American Oriental Society, Vol. 64, No. 3

(Chinese Pidgin English) in this way; like this; so; thus


offhand

en-adv

offhand (comparative more offhand, superlative most offhand)

more offhand (comparative)
most offhand (superlative)

From Middle English *ofhande, *ofhende, from Old English ofhende (“absent, lost”), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *abahandijaz. Equivalent to (and re-formed as) off- + hand. Cognate with Icelandic afhendur. Compare onhand.

Offhand, I'd guess that that's a yellow-bellied sapsucker.

We will have no more of this shilly-shallying! Call the Archbishop, and let the Prince and Princess be married offhand!

1854, William Makepeace Thackeray, The Rose and the Ring:

Right away, immediately, without thinking about it.


gangbusters

This follows Llewelyn-Bowen on a promotional parade through China, his hopes resting largely on the basis that his British quirkiness will go gangbusters with Shanghai shoppers.

2015 July 13, “Monday’s best TV”, in The Guardian:

Clearly this is a moment tailor-made for the front crawl, but I can't do front crawl so instead I opt to skull, the swan-like grace of my upper body belying the fact that under the water my legs are going absolutely gangbusters.

2016, Steve Coogan, Neil Gibbons & Rob Gibbons, Alan Partridge: Nomad, page 46:

I doubt very much that the US will deploy much that would have been prohibited by the treaty. Russia, though, will go gangbusters.

2018 October 21, Jeffrey Lewis, quotee, “Trump says US will withdraw from nuclear arms treaty with Russia”, in The Guardian:

The latter, a niche series of British gangster movies, isn’t exactly a critical darling, but has a rabid fanbase, with each title doing gangbusters for Signature in home entertainment and streaming.

2022 February 4, Manori Ravindran, “Signature Entertainment Brings West Ham United Owner David Sullivan Back Into the Fold, Expands Production Might”, in Variety:

(colloquial) With great energy or speed; very well. (Frequently with go.)


the world over

Thomas Edison is known the world over as the inventor of the light-bulb.

(idiomatic) All over the world; globally; throughout the world.


amusingly

amusingly (comparative more amusingly, superlative most amusingly)

more amusingly (comparative)
most amusingly (superlative)


amphibiously

amphibiously (comparative more amphibiously, superlative most amphibiously)

more amphibiously (comparative)
most amphibiously (superlative)


ambivalently

ambivalently (comparative more ambivalently, superlative most ambivalently)

more ambivalently (comparative)
most ambivalently (superlative)


anachronistically

anachronistically (comparative more anachronistically, superlative most anachronistically)

more anachronistically (comparative)
most anachronistically (superlative)

In an anachronistic manner; in the manner of an anachronism.


ambiguously

ambiguously (comparative more ambiguously, superlative most ambiguously)

more ambiguously (comparative)
most ambiguously (superlative)


alphanumerically

alphanumerically (comparative more alphanumerically, superlative most alphanumerically)

more alphanumerically (comparative)
most alphanumerically (superlative)

In an alphanumeric / alphanumerical manner; using alphanumeric / alphanumerical characters.

In a manner that is in numeric / numerical, then alphabetic / alphabetical, order.


sort of

From a reanalysis of "sort of" in a phrase such as "a sort of merry dance" from noun ("sort") and preposition ("of") from the prepositional phrase "of merry dance" to adverb modifying "merry".

It sort of makes sense the way he explains it, but I still don't really understand.

"Why—why, we sort of expected he'd be here!" says she.

1916 March 11, Charles E. Van Loan, “His Folks”, in Saturday Evening Post:

Nothing was too small to receive attention, if a supervising eye could suggest improvements likely to conduce to the common welfare. Mr. Gordon Burnage, for instance, personally visited dust-bins and back premises, accompanied by a sort of village bailiff, going his round like a commanding officer doing billets.

1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter XIX, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:

‘I understand that the district was considered a sort of sanctuary,’ the Chief was saying. ‘An Alsatia like the ancient one behind the Strand, or the Saffron Hill before the First World War.[…]’

1963, Margery Allingham, “Foreword”, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:

Anne Shaw tells Peter Plisner, "West Midlands Metro metamorphosis", page 32:
"It sort of transforms that location," says Shaw.
Pip Dunn, "'196s' giving commuters a smoother ride", page 55:
Messy trains are horrible, but you can sort of understand passengers leaving their sandwich wrappers and paper cups if there is nowhere to dispose of them.

(idiomatic, colloquial) Approximately; in a way; partially; not quite; somewhat.


amorously

amorously (comparative more amorously, superlative most amorously)

more amorously (comparative)
most amorously (superlative)

Inherited from Middle English amorously, amerously; equivalent to amorous + -ly.


alluringly

alluringly (comparative more alluringly, superlative most alluringly)

more alluringly (comparative)
most alluringly (superlative)

/əˈl(j)ʊɹɪŋ/


eerily

eerily (comparative more eerily, superlative most eerily)

more eerily (comparative)
most eerily (superlative)

From eerie + -ly. Compare Old English earglīċe, earhlīċe (“in a cowardly manner, timidly, fearfully”).

And it was the voice of a human being—a known, loved, well-remembered voice—that of Edward Fairfax Rochester; and it spoke in pain and woe—wildly, eerily, urgently.

1847 October 16, Currer Bell [pseudonym; Charlotte Brontë], chapter IX, in Jane Eyre. An Autobiography. […], volume III, London: Smith, Elder, and Co., […], →OCLC, page 244:

A woman whose fiancé died on Sept. 11, Maria Barreto-Mojica, said she noticed that something about yesterday had seemed eerily familiar. “I looked at the sky this morning. It was so blue, just the same as it was that morning,” said Ms. Barreto-Mojica, 48, who was to marry fire lieutenant Dennis Mojica.

2006 September 11, Sheryl Gay Stolberg, “Bush Mourns 9/11 at Ground Zero as N.Y. Remembers”, in New York Times:


contemptuously

contemptuously (comparative more contemptuously, superlative most contemptuously)

more contemptuously (comparative)
most contemptuously (superlative)

He argued with the judge contemptuously, showing no respect or remorse for his actions.

Ralph, who was a thickset clownish figure, arrived at his full strength, and conscious of the most complete personal superiority, laughed contemptuously at the threats of the slight-made stripling.

1820, [Walter Scott], chapter VII, in The Abbot. […], volume I, Edinburgh: […] [James Ballantyne & Co.] for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, […]; and for Archibald Constable and Company, and John Ballantyne, […], →OCLC, page 146:

'They haven't no more philosophy nor political economy about 'em than that,' said the beadle, snapping his fingers contemptuously.

1867, Charles Dickens, chapter 4, in Oliver Twist:

He snapped his fingers contemptuously at the alarm clock. "I fear thee not, thou ticking tyrant."

1971, Richard Carpenter, Catweazle and the Magic Zodiac, Harmondsworth: Puffin Books, page 29:

Under the statute an individual who "publicly mutilates, tramples upon, defaces or treats contemptuously the flag of the United States[…]" was subject to criminal liability.

1986, Treatise on Constitutional Law: Substance and Procedure, volume 3, page 36:

The girl looked at Onisi contemptuously, then laughed jeeringly. He was then six years old and didn't know how to speak in English so he couldn't understand what she was saying but he sensed that it was derogatory.

1994, Joseph Veramo, Moving through the Streets: A Novel, page 39:

In a disrespectful or discourteous manner; condescendingly.

արհամարհաբար

in a disrespectful or discourteous manner


annoyingly

annoyingly (comparative more annoyingly, superlative most annoyingly)

more annoyingly (comparative)
most annoyingly (superlative)

/ʌˈnɔɪjɪŋli/

Flies buzzed annoyingly around my head.


appreciatively

appreciatively (comparative more appreciatively, superlative most appreciatively)

more appreciatively (comparative)
most appreciatively (superlative)


antisocially

antisocially (comparative more antisocially, superlative most antisocially)

more antisocially (comparative)
most antisocially (superlative)


appallingly

appallingly (comparative more appallingly, superlative most appallingly)

more appallingly (comparative)
most appallingly (superlative)


anomalously

anomalously (comparative more anomalously, superlative most anomalously)

more anomalously (comparative)
most anomalously (superlative)


amorally

amorally (comparative more amorally, superlative most amorally)

more amorally (comparative)
most amorally (superlative)


animatedly

animatedly (comparative more animatedly, superlative most animatedly)

more animatedly (comparative)
most animatedly (superlative)


angelically

angelically (comparative more angelically, superlative most angelically)

more angelically (comparative)
most angelically (superlative)

From angelic + -ally or angelical + -ly.


appetizingly

appetizingly (comparative more appetizingly, superlative most appetizingly)

more appetizingly (comparative)
most appetizingly (superlative)


hipshot

hipshot (comparative more hipshot, superlative most hipshot)

more hipshot (comparative)
most hipshot (superlative)

Slocum [...] watched the horses and mules. Most stood hipshot, sleeping on their feet, nothing bothered them.

2005, Jake Logan, Slocum and the Sierra Madras Gold:

The two stubby horses, dusty and sweaty from the road, were standing hip-shot and bored, and Bernan sat on the driver's box with reins slack and his elbows on his knees.

2005, Lois McMaster Bujold, The Hallowed Hunt:


tentatively

tentatively (comparative more tentatively, superlative most tentatively)

more tentatively (comparative)
most tentatively (superlative)

This last activity was studied in the second paper of this series and it was suggested tentatively that the peculiarly adaptive discoördination in this and other reactions might be due to the pull of part upon part, acting through the substrate.

1922, Hamilton, “Coördination in the Starfish”, in Knight Dunlap, Robert M. Yerkes, editors, The Journal of Comparative Psychology, volume II, Baltimore, page 90:

Of, or having to do with being tentative.

колебливо

of, or having to do with being tentative


disrespectfully

disrespectfully (comparative more disrespectfully, superlative most disrespectfully)

more disrespectfully (comparative)
most disrespectfully (superlative)

As a matter of fact its narrow ornate façade presented not a single quiet space that the eyes might rest on after a tiring attempt to follow and codify the arabesques, foliations, and intricate vermiculations of what some disrespectfully dubbed as “near-aissance.”

1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, chapter V, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC:

In a disrespectful manner; with a lack of respect.


poetically

poetically (comparative more poetically, superlative most poetically)

more poetically (comparative)
most poetically (superlative)

From Middle English poetikly, poetycally, poyetikly; equivalent to poetical + -ly.


regionally

regionally (comparative more regionally, superlative most regionally)

more regionally (comparative)
most regionally (superlative)

/ˈɹiːd͡ʒənəli/

In a large but limited area, more than local but smaller than entirety. (Generally smaller than a nation.)


savagely

savagely (comparative more savagely, superlative most savagely)

more savagely (comparative)
most savagely (superlative)

"It is shaped," he hissed at Ford, with his brow savagely furrowed, "like a policeman."

1982, Douglas Adams, Life, the Universe and Everything, page 19:

In a wild, uncontrolled, or savage manner.


anciently

anciently (comparative more anciently, superlative most anciently)

more anciently (comparative)
most anciently (superlative)

From Middle English aunciently; equivalent to ancient + -ly.

In the manner of very long ago. As the ancients did.

The anciently written inscriptions in the pyramids can still be read.


allusively

allusively (comparative more allusively, superlative most allusively)

more allusively (comparative)
most allusively (superlative)

In an allusive manner; in a manner characterized by allusion.


amateurishly

amateurishly (comparative more amateurishly, superlative most amateurishly)

more amateurishly (comparative)
most amateurishly (superlative)

He came in and we went out to the back area I'd bricked amateurishly years ago.

2010, Peter Corris, Torn Apart, Allen and Unwin, page 18:

In an amateurish manner; without expertise or professionalism.


diagonally

diagonally (comparative more diagonally, superlative most diagonally)

more diagonally (comparative)
most diagonally (superlative)

From Middle English diagonaly, modeled on Medieval Latin diagōnāliter; equivalent to diagonal + -ly.

The diagonally opposed driving positions in the cab are identical.

1962 December, “The B.R. standard diesel-electric Type 1 locomotive”, in Modern Railways, page 381:

He turned back to the scene before him and the enormous new block of council dwellings. The design was some way after Corbusier but the block was built up on plinths and resembled an Atlantic liner swimming diagonally across the site.

In a diagonal manner, not square to any direction.


amenably

amenably (comparative more amenably, superlative most amenably)

more amenably (comparative)
most amenably (superlative)


noiselessly

Noiselessly she laid the clematis and wattle on her bed, then stood near the covered face, and, looking down at her untied bootlaces, sighed an impatient sigh always well known and understood by this now unresponsive father.

1907, Barbara Baynton, edited by Sally Krimmer and Alan Lawson, Human Toll (Portable Australian Authors: Barbara Baynton), St Lucia: University of Queensland Press, published 1980, page 127:

Not thirty paces behind the two she crouched--Sabor, the huge lioness--lashing her tail. Cautiously she moved a great padded paw forward, noiselessly placing it before she lifted the next. Thus she advanced; her belly low, almost touching the surface of the ground--a great cat preparing to spring upon its prey.

1912 October, Edgar Rice Burroughs, “Tarzan of the Apes”, in The All-Story, New York, N.Y.: Frank A. Munsey Co., →OCLC; republished as chapter 5, in Tarzan of the Apes, New York, N.Y.: A. L. Burt Company, 1914 June, →OCLC:

I now, O friend, whom noiselessly the snows / Settle around, and whose small chamber grows / Dusk as the sloping window takes its load:

1918, Robert Louis Stevenson, “I now, O friend, whom noiselessly the snows”, in New Poems, Chatto & Windus, page 101:

The Bat—they called him the Bat. Like a bat he chose the night hours for his work of rapine; like a bat he struck and vanished, pouncingly, noiselessly; like a bat he never showed himself to the face of the day.

1920, Mary Roberts Rinehart, Avery Hopwood, chapter I, in The Bat: A Novel from the Play (Dell Book; 241), New York, N.Y.: Dell Publishing Company, →OCLC, page 01:


aridly

aridly (comparative more aridly, superlative most aridly)

more aridly (comparative)
most aridly (superlative)


assertively

assertively (comparative more assertively, superlative most assertively)

more assertively (comparative)
most assertively (superlative)


applicably

applicably (comparative more applicably, superlative most applicably)

more applicably (comparative)
most applicably (superlative)


apishly

apishly (comparative more apishly, superlative most apishly)

more apishly (comparative)
most apishly (superlative)

In an apish manner; in the manner of an ape.


antiphonally

In an antiphonal manner; in the manner of an antiphon.


atonally

atonally (comparative more atonally, superlative most atonally)

more atonally (comparative)
most atonally (superlative)


aromatically

aromatically (comparative more aromatically, superlative most aromatically)

more aromatically (comparative)
most aromatically (superlative)

an aromatically spiced Indian dish


artlessly

artlessly (comparative more artlessly, superlative most artlessly)

more artlessly (comparative)
most artlessly (superlative)

"Of course not , darling," she artlessly replied.

1968, Carl Ruhen, The Key Club, Sydney: Scripts, page 35:


archaically

archaically (comparative more archaically, superlative most archaically)

more archaically (comparative)
most archaically (superlative)


atypically

atypically (comparative more atypically, superlative most atypically)

more atypically (comparative)
most atypically (superlative)


atomically

an atomically powered locomotive


antagonistically

antagonistically (comparative more antagonistically, superlative most antagonistically)

more antagonistically (comparative)
most antagonistically (superlative)


anemically

anemically (comparative more anemically, superlative most anemically)

more anemically (comparative)
most anemically (superlative)


anticlimactically

anticlimactically (comparative more anticlimactically, superlative most anticlimactically)

more anticlimactically (comparative)
most anticlimactically (superlative)


atmospherically

atmospherically (comparative more atmospherically, superlative most atmospherically)

more atmospherically (comparative)
most atmospherically (superlative)

[…] a picture like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a horror film, for it deliberately, atmospherically and painfully puts horrors on show, even if they are credible horrors performed by humans.

2012, Bruce F. Kawin, Horror and the Horror Film, page 152:

In the years following World War Two, Americans cut down vast forests, built thousands of factories, assembled millions of atmospherically toxic automobiles, and filthied the water throughout North America.

2007, Tom Bissell, Chasing the Sea: Lost Among the Ghosts of Empire in Central Asia:


financially

He helped his daughter out financially, paying her rent and utilities, until she recovered from the accident.


analogously

analogously (comparative more analogously, superlative most analogously)

more analogously (comparative)
most analogously (superlative)

In an analogous manner; in a manner which evokes analogy.


athletically

athletically (comparative more athletically, superlative most athletically)

more athletically (comparative)
most athletically (superlative)


astutely

astutely (comparative more astutely, superlative most astutely)

more astutely (comparative)
most astutely (superlative)

Embarrassed, Bradly mumbled in his beard and began to fill his pipe, inspected astutely by Podson the while.

1938, Norman Lindsay, Age of Consent, 1st Australian edition, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1962, →OCLC, page 124:


anthropologically

anthropologically (comparative more anthropologically, superlative most anthropologically)

more anthropologically (comparative)
most anthropologically (superlative)

In a manner which pertains to anthropology.

antropologisch

in a manner which pertains to anthropology


asymmetrically

asymmetrically (comparative more asymmetrically, superlative most asymmetrically)

more asymmetrically (comparative)
most asymmetrically (superlative)


anarchically

anarchically (comparative more anarchically, superlative most anarchically)

more anarchically (comparative)
most anarchically (superlative)

In an anarchic manner; in the manner of anarchy.


all-fired

Probably a euphemistic form of hell-fired.

Of course, I was only stringing Jerry . . . he thinks he's so all-fired cute and smart.

1909, Lucy Maud Montgomery, chapter 14, in Anne of Avonlea:

Latha dear, she said resolutely, once in your life you'll just have to quit being so all-fired superstitious.

1970, Donald Harington, Lightning Bug, published 2005, page 32:

Sometimes I'm tired and I wonder / What's so all-fired important / About being someplace at some time

1972, Carole King (lyrics and music), “Bitter with the Sweet”, in Rhymes & Reasons:

(chiefly US, intensifier, informal) Extremely, thoroughly, very.


unduly

unduly (comparative more unduly, superlative most unduly)

more unduly (comparative)
most unduly (superlative)

The speaker unduly criticized his opponent and later apologized for this.

The departure was not unduly prolonged. In the road Mr. Love and the driver favoured the company with a brief chanty running. “Got it?—No, I ain't, 'old on,—Got it? Got it?—No, 'old on sir.”

1921, Ben Travers, chapter 5, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC:

No. 4 has recently undergone complete overhaul to relieve Dolgoch of much of the heavy work, but No. 3 has proved unduly sensitive to permanent way defects and is not to be used in regular service until further track improvements are carried out.

1952 August, “Notes and News: Talyllyn Locomotives”, in Railway Magazine, page 566:

It was a casual sneer, obviously one of a long line. There was hatred behind it, but of a quiet, chronic type, nothing new or unduly virulent, and he was taken aback by the flicker of amazed incredulity that passed over the younger man's ravaged face.

1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 8, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:

Undeservedly; in a way that is not warranted.

неоправдано

undeservedly; in a way that is not warranted


articulately

articulately (comparative more articulately, superlative most articulately)

more articulately (comparative)
most articulately (superlative)


analogically

Absolutely, because for the substance, it eitheir^([sic]) expressley or Analogically containes the doctrine, concerning Faith and Manners, which is communicable and profitable for us to know, which may be proved also by induction, that...

1662, Edward Leigh, A Systeme or Body of Divinity: Consisting of Three Bookes..., page 104:

In an analogical manner; in the manner of an analogy.


uppishly

uppishly (comparative more uppishly, superlative most uppishly)

more uppishly (comparative)
most uppishly (superlative)

“Miss Betty’s at the church now gettin’ married!” announced Marie uppishly, “and you’d best be gettin’ out of here right away, for the wedding party’s due to arrive any minute now […]”

1919, Grace Livingston Hill, chapter 3, in Exit Betty, New York: Grosset & Dunlap, page 36:

Miguel watched uppishly and without comment.

1958, Muriel Spark, chapter 4, in Robinson, London: Macmillan:

“I have all I need of Zoos in this nursery, thank you,” said Mary Poppins, uppishly. “Hyenas, orang-outangs, all of you. Sit up straight, and no more nonsense.”

1972 September, P[amela] L[yndon] Travers, “Full Moon”, in Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins; 1), [revised edition], New York, N.Y.: Scholastic Book Services, →OCLC, page 175:

In an uppish manner, arrogantly, with an air of superiority.

[…] the tall left-hander slapped a short ball from Adil Rashid wearily and uppishly to extra cover.

2010 June 30, Andy Wilson, “Kyle Hogg’s bat buoys Lancashire and halts Yorkshire in their tracks”, in The Guardian:

(cricket, of a ball, hit by a batsman) In an upward direction, with the chance of being caught.


saltando

Mark the following excerpt to be played saltando.

1968, Richard D. Worthing, The Development and Preliminary Evaluation of a Programmed Course of Instruction in Orchestration for the Stringed Instruments, page 111:

(music) Played with a rapid, bouncing stroke of the bow on a stringed instrument.


yem

(Geordie) Alternative spelling of hyem (“home”)


VG

verbi gratia (Latin; "for example"). Compare e.g.


unwittingly

unwittingly (comparative more unwittingly, superlative most unwittingly)

more unwittingly (comparative)
most unwittingly (superlative)

From Middle English on-wytyngly, un-wetandly, unweteynglye, unwetinglie, un-wetinglye, unwetyngly, unwitandly, unwitendely, unwitingly, unwittandly, unwityngli, unwityngly, unwytyngeleche, unwytyngli, equivalent to unwitting + -ly or un- + wittingly.

She realized to her horror that she had unwittingly helped those people she most despised.

This morning, / Paprs of State he ſent me, to peruſe / As I required: and wot you what I found / There (on my Conſcience put vnwittingly) […]

1613 (date written), William Shakespeare, [John Fletcher], “The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eight”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii], page 220, column 2:

[O]nly now it remained that I inquire whether I have right to enter the city of refuge: so I found, that he must not, who lay in wait to shed blood: It was not the wilful murderer, but he who unwittingly did it, he who did it unawares; not out of spite, or grudge, or malice, he that shed it unwittingly: even he who did not hate his neighbour before. Wherefore, […] I thought verily I was the man that must enter, because I had smitten my neighbour unwittingly, and hated Him not aforetime.

1666, John Bunyan, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners: […], London: Printed by George Larkin, →OCLC; republished as Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners in a Faithful Account of the Life and Death of John Bunyan: […], London: The Religious Tract Society, […], [1905], →OCLC, paragraphs 218–219, page 123:

I have had a deep sense of the sad consequences of mistakes, in things capital; and their impossibility of recovering when compleated; and what grief of heart it brings to a tender conscience, to have been unwittingly encouraging of the sufferings of the innocent.

1697, John Hale, “The Preface”, in A Modest Enquiry into the Nature of Witchcraft, […], Boston, Mass.: Printed by B[artholomew] Green, and J[ohn] Allen, for Benjamin Eliot […], published 1702, →OCLC, page 11; reprinted in “Memoir of the Rev. John Hale”, in Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, volume VII (Third Series), Boston, Mass.: Charles C[offin] Little and James Brown, 1838, →OCLC, page 264:

Of course those ministers who did support this did so unwittingly in most instances, did they not? By unwittingly I mean not knowing that the whole program was controlled and dominated and instigated by the Communist Party.

1955 June 27, Gordon H[arry] Scherer (questioner), “Testimony of Mrs. Anita Bell Schneider”, in Investigation of Communist Activities in the Los Angeles, Calif., Area—Part 1: Hearings before the Committee on Un-American Activities, House of Representatives, Eighty-fourth Congress, First Session, June 27 and 28, 1955: […], Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, →OCLC, page 1507:

In the fall of 2016, [Hugh] Hefner was the subject of rumors about his health. As per his wishes, he was to be buried in a crypt next to that of Marilyn Monroe, who'd unwittingly helped launch Playboy into the multi-million-dollar business it became.

2017 September 27, David Browne, “Hugh Hefner, ‘Playboy’ Founder, Dead at 91: Legendary Magazine Editor Helped Spark the Sexual Revolution”, in Rolling Stone, archived from the original on 2018-03-15:

"She had asked at Paddington for a return to Lympstone on the Exmouth branch, where her son was due to pass out as a Royal Marine that afternoon, at the local training camp.
"Presumably, the booking clerk had misheard her and sold her a ticket to Leominster, and other helpful staff had unwittingly helped her on her way.

2022 July 13, “Stop & Examine”, in RAIL, number 961, page 71:

In an unwitting manner; inadvertently, obliviously, unintentionally, unknowingly.