differently

differently (comparative more differently, superlative most differently)

more differently (comparative)
most differently (superlative)

From Middle English differently; equivalent to different + -ly.

I was (says Mr. Highmore) forcibly struck with the violence of its pulsation, so much so, that, if it had been differently situated, I should have considered it an aneurism of considerable magnitude.

1815, “Critical Analysis of Recent Publications”, in The Medical and Physical Journal, volume 34:

"You see, gentlemen, I couldn't bear the look of him, there was something in him ignoble, impudent, trampling on everything sacred, something sneering and irreverent, loathsome, loathsome. But now that he's dead, I feel differently."
"How do you mean?"
"I don't feel differently, but I wish I hadn't hated him so."
"You feel penitent?"
"No, not penitent, don't write that. I'm not much good myself; I'm not very beautiful, so I had no right to consider him repulsive. That's what I mean. Write that down, if you like."

1912, Fyodor Dostoevsky, translated by Constance Garnett, The Brothers Karamazov:

Recent research in the field of sociolinguistics and related fields has shown that women and men speak differently.

2007, Vanessa Leonardi, Gender and Ideology in Translation: Do Women and Men Translate Differently?:


appropriately

en-adv

appropriately (comparative more appropriately, superlative most appropriately)

more appropriately (comparative)
most appropriately (superlative)

He closes the foreword by acknowledging that his proposals would have far-reaching impacts on railway staff, communities and industry - and passes the buck onto government to ensure that these consequences are managed appropriately.

2023 March 8, Gareth Dennis, “The Reshaping of things to come...”, in RAIL, number 978, page 44:

In an appropriate manner; properly; suitably.


yearlong

The estimate of the number of sheep and cattle now using this range is equivalent to 250000 cattle units yearlong

1939, Hugh Hammond Bennett, Soil conservation, page 807:

The carrying capacity of this area is 46 cattle yearlong.

1946, U.S. Committee on Public Lands and Surveys, Administration and use of public lands: Parts 5-9:

Over much of the Great Plains, water was not available yearlong for units of land as small as the customary ownership units

1979, Marion Clawson, The western range livestock industry, page 73:

Black bear and mountain goats occur in the area yearlong.

1989, United States. Congress. House. Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands, Additions to the national wilderness preservation system, volume 2, page 898:


electrically

electrically (comparative more electrically, superlative most electrically)

more electrically (comparative)
most electrically (superlative)

From electric + -ally, electrical + -ly.

Solar storms drive currents of millions of amps through the electrically conductive upper layer of our atmosphere (known as the ionosphere). These currents, which can fluctuate rapidly, drive powerful magnetic disturbances at the Earth's surface that in turn induce electrical currents in the planet's crust.

2023 November 15, Prof. Jim Wild, “This train was delayed because of bad weather in space”, in RAIL, number 996, page 30:

The concert was electrically exciting.

an electrically symmetric atom


unpredictably

unpredictably (comparative more unpredictably, superlative most unpredictably)

more unpredictably (comparative)
most unpredictably (superlative)


geographically

South West London and Surrey may be geographically close to the airport, but there is no way of reaching Heathrow by rail, short of travelling via central London.

2019 October, John Glover, “Heathrow rail expansion”, in Modern Railways, page 72:


happy-go-lucky

happy-go-lucky (comparative more happy-go-lucky, superlative most happy-go-lucky)

more happy-go-lucky (comparative)
most happy-go-lucky (superlative)

You have nothing to fear ; you have your twenty guineas in your pocket for helping me into my service, and if I get into Mrs. Martha's quarters, you have a hundred more ; if into the widow's, fifty : — happy go lucky !

1731, William Wycherley, Plays Written by Mr. William Wycherley:


intensively

intensively (comparative more intensively, superlative most intensively)

more intensively (comparative)
most intensively (superlative)

The line is intensively used, with around 100 passenger services each day and 40 freight trains serving Southampton docks.

2023 May 17, Paul Clifton, “Extreme weather at heart of Nuneham viaduct failure”, in RAIL, number 983, page 13:


forcefully

forcefully (comparative more forcefully, superlative most forcefully)

more forcefully (comparative)
most forcefully (superlative)

With either physical or coercive force; in a forceful manner; vigorously; powerfully.


ake

The answer given was : — " Friends, this is the reply of the Maori : we shall fight on ake, ake, ake, for ever, for ever, for ever."

1882, B. Francis, Isles of the Pacific: Or, Sketches from the South Seas, page 78:

That was the time when the great wish grew in the heart of Maui, the wish to conquer his powerful enemy Hine-nui-te-po, that Night might die and man may live for ever: ake, ake, ake!—yes, it was his great wish.

1907, Wilhelm Dittmer, Te Tohunga: The Ancient Legends and Traditions of the Maoris:

"Ake, ake, ake," said Von Tempsky, weary over the camp-fire. "Has there been anything like it since the days of the old Greeks? What madness makes you kill such men when you may want them to fight for you some day?"

1938, Edith J. Lyttleton, G. B. Lancaster, Promenade, page 383:

One day Maui visited his parents to tell them of his latest plan — he wished to conquer his powerful enemy Hine-nui-te-po so that the Night might die and man would live forever: ake, ake, ake!

1997, Queenie Rikihana, Paki Waitara: Myths & Legends of the Māori, →ISBN, page 33:


critically

critically (comparative more critically, superlative most critically)

more critically (comparative)
most critically (superlative)

I looked critically at the frayed carpet of the hotel room.

In a critical manner; with, or in terms of, criticism.

a critically applauded film

In terms of critique, review, of or by critics

Thus difficult it is to underſtand the purity of Engliſh, and critically to diſcern not only good Writers from bad, and a proper ſtile from a corrupt, but alſo to diſtinguiſh that which is pure in a good Author, from that which is vicious and corrupt in him.

1685, John Dryden, transl., “Preface”, in Sylvæ: Or, The Second Part of Poetical Miscellanies, London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC; reprinted Menston, Yorkshire, London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, page 19:

With close discernment; accurately; exactly.

a fortification critically situated

Coming critically the night before the session.

a. 1716 (date written), [Gilbert] Burnet, edited by [Gilbert Burnet Jr.], Bishop Burnet’s History of His Own Time. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: […] Thomas Ward […], published 1724, →OCLC:

At a crisis or critical time; in a situation, place, or condition of decisive consequence.

critically ill

critically injured

critically endangered

Requiring immediate attention; likely to cause a collapse.


powerfully

powerfully (comparative more powerfully, superlative most powerfully)

more powerfully (comparative)
most powerfully (superlative)

Little had been seen of £35m man Carroll until just after the restart when he twice rose powerfully to meet corners, forcing Louis Saha to clear acrobatically off the line and Howard to save low at his post.

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


gracefully

gracefully (comparative more gracefully, superlative most gracefully)

more gracefully (comparative)
most gracefully (superlative)

Suddenly I turned around and she was standin' there
With silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair
She walked up to me so gracefully and took my crown of thorns
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"

1975, Bob Dylan, Shelter from the Storm:


casually

casually (comparative more casually, superlative most casually)

more casually (comparative)
most casually (superlative)

From Middle English casually, casuelly, casuali, casuely, equivalent to casual + -ly.

A small minority, mainly strangers, would look long at her in casually passing by, and grow momentarily fascinated by her freshness, and wonder if they would ever see her again: but to almost everybody she was a fine and picturesque country girl, and no more.

1891, Thomas Hardy, Tess of the d'Urbervilles, volume 1, London: James R. Osgood, McIlvaine and Co., page 21:

"A fine man, that Dunwody, yonder," commented the young captain, as they parted, and as he turned to his prisoner. "We'll see him on in Washington some day.[…]A strong man—a strong one; and a heedless." ¶ "Of what party is he?" she inquired, as though casually.

1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:

The detective kept them in view. He made his way casually along the inside of the shelter until he reached an open scuttle close to where the two men were standing talking. Eavesdropping was not a thing Larard would have practised from choice, but there were times when, in the public interest, he had to do it, and this was one of them.

1928, Lawrence R. Bourne, chapter 7, in Well Tackled!:

He wore his strange and colourful clothes as if for inspection by a lesser being: condescendingly, casually.

1974, John Boorman, Zardoz, London: Pan Books, page 10:


commercially

commercially (comparative more commercially, superlative most commercially)

more commercially (comparative)
most commercially (superlative)

In a commercial manner: a manner pertaining to commerce.


inquisitively

inquisitively (comparative more inquisitively, superlative most inquisitively)

more inquisitively (comparative)
most inquisitively (superlative)


vainly

vainly (comparative vainlier or more vainly, superlative vainliest or most vainly)

vainlier (comparative)
more vainly (comparative)
vainliest (superlative)
most vainly (superlative)

Inherited from Middle English vaynly, veynly, vaynely, veynely, equivalent to vain + -ly.

She searched vainly for her reflection in the shattered mirror.

She stared vainly at her reflection in the mirror.

With a vain attitude; in a self-approving manner.


wrongly

wrongly (comparative more wrongly, superlative most wrongly)

more wrongly (comparative)
most wrongly (superlative)

From Middle English wrongly, wrongliche, equivalent to wrong + -ly.

miscarriage of justice
miscarriage of justice

In violation of a moral or other standard, code, or convention; in an unfair, unjust, dishonest, or immoral manner; unfairly, unjustly, dishonestly, immorally, wrongfully; wrongly convicted is synonymous with wrongful conviction and miscarriage of justice.

forkert

In an unfair or immoral manner; unjustly

I wrongly assumed that it would be an easy job.

In March 2021, Mr. Livingston finally went up for parole after one of the lawyers from Appellate Advocates, De Nice Powell, argued he had been wrongly sentenced in the razor-blade contraband case and got the sentence reduced.

2023 December 20, Maria Cramer, “He Was Wrongly Convicted of Killing Her Father. She Set Out to Free Him.”, in The New York Times:


periphrastically

periphrastically (comparative more periphrastically, superlative most periphrastically)

more periphrastically (comparative)
most periphrastically (superlative)


as yet

As yet, we have not received the letter you sent us.


oot

Pronunciation spelling
pronunciation spelling


under the microscope

After his productivity flagged, his boss put him under the microscope to try to isolate and correct the problem.

(idiomatic, figurative) Under close scrutiny or examination.


triumphally

triumphally (comparative more triumphally, superlative most triumphally)

more triumphally (comparative)
most triumphally (superlative)


aight

(chiefly African-American Vernacular, slang) Contraction of all right.


clinically

clinically (comparative more clinically, superlative most clinically)

more clinically (comparative)
most clinically (superlative)

In a clinical manner: dispassionately or analytically.

Coordinate term: subclinically

clinically apparent

Hypokalemia may manifest clinically as fatigue and muscle cramping.

Mild electrolyte disturbances are usually not clinically apparent, but if they worsen, symptoms begin.

In the setting of a medical clinic; in a clinical setting; (of a health condition) to a degree high enough to be relevant to clinical practice.

a person baptised clinically


provisionally

provisionally (comparative more provisionally, superlative most provisionally)

more provisionally (comparative)
most provisionally (superlative)


prickly

prickly (comparative more prickly, superlative most prickly)

more prickly (comparative)
most prickly (superlative)

Striding across stage in his bright white jacket, his voice soaring and cracking – like Charlie Parker’s – he was nervous but prickly eloquent, caustic yet encouraging.

2016 March 3, David Thomson, The Guardian:


kitty-corner

/ˈkɪdiˌkɔɹnəɹ/

Variant of cater-corner influenced by cat and kitty.

Unit #5, kittycorner across the little street from Ennet House, is for catatonics and various vegetablish, fetal-positioned mental patients […].

1996, David Foster Wallace, Infinite Jest […], Boston, Mass., New York, N.Y.: Little, Brown and Company, →ISBN, page 196:

(Northern US, Canadian Prairies) Cater-corner: located diagonally in relation to something, especially across an intersection.


uncleanly

uncleanly (comparative more uncleanly, superlative most uncleanly)

more uncleanly (comparative)
most uncleanly (superlative)

From Middle English unclenly, onclenly, unclenely; compare Old English unclǣnlīce; equivalent to unclean + -ly.


doggedly

doggedly (comparative more doggedly, superlative most doggedly)

more doggedly (comparative)
most doggedly (superlative)

From Middle English doggedlich, doggetly, doggidly, doggydly; equivalent to dogged + -ly.

I grew moody, silent, and unsocial, but studied on doggedly and incessantly.

1820, Washington Irving, “The Early Experiences of Ralph Ringwood”, in The Crayon Papers:

I continued to pound along doggedly. I was grimly resolute.

1906, P. G. Wodehouse, chapter 6, in Love Among the Chickens:

She was married to someone.
He was doggedly determined he would get her.

1983, Paul Simon, Train in the Distance:

Unemployment hovered doggedly near 10%.

2010 December 9, Ishaan Tharoor, “Obama's Quagmire II: The Economy”, in Time, retrieved 2014-04-28:

'Nay,' said Dr Johnson, 'a man may write at any time, if he will set himself DOGGEDLY to it.' [Footnote: This word is commonly used to signify sullenly, gloomily and in that sense alone it appears in Dr Johnson's Dictionary. I suppose he meant by it 'with an OBSTINATE RESOLUTION, similar to that of a sullen man'.]

1785, James Boswell, The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson, LL.D.:


offhandedly

offhandedly (comparative more offhandedly, superlative most offhandedly)

more offhandedly (comparative)
most offhandedly (superlative)


stringently

stringently (comparative more stringently, superlative most stringently)

more stringently (comparative)
most stringently (superlative)


enthusiastically

enthusiastically (comparative more enthusiastically, superlative most enthusiastically)

more enthusiastically (comparative)
most enthusiastically (superlative)

When God presented Lilith to Adam, Adam was overjoyed and enthusiastically set her on the ground and tried to mount her after the fashion of the animals; but Lilith protested and said: "Why should I be on the bottom and you on the top?"

1981, William Irwin Thompson, The Time Falling Bodies Take to Light: Mythology, Sexuality and the Origins of Culture, London: Rider/Hutchinson & Co., page 16:

The new sea wall may stop the waves from the sea, but not from the children who enthusiastically greet our train as it passes. It's great to see this ages-old habit is still going strong.

2020 December 2, Paul Bigland, “My weirdest and wackiest Rover yet”, in Rail, page 65:


passim

From the Latin passim (“here and there, everywhere”).

bor

The sceptics assert [Sext. Emp. adversus Math. lib. viii.], though absurdly, that the origin of all religious worship was derived from the utility of inanimate objects, as the sun and moon, to the support and well-being of mankind. This is also the common reason assigned by historians, for the deification of eminent heroes and legislators [Diod. Sic. passim.].

1751, David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals:

See also Hearings on H.R.8825 before the House Committee on the Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 70th Cong., 1st Sess., passim (1928).

1978, Supreme Court of the United States, F.C.C. v. Pacifica Foundation:

Throughout (used in citations to indicate that something, as a word, phrase, or idea, is to be found at many places throughout the work cited).


back to the drawing board

Coined as “Well, back to the old drawing board.” as the caption of a Peter Arno cartoon of The New Yorker of March 1, 1941, depicting an engineer walking away from a crashed plane.

Well, that didn't work at all, so it's back to the drawing board, I guess.

For such cases the only thing is to go back to the drawing board and do it better; and it is here that the highest qualities of vision and human leadership are needed.

1958, The Engineer, volume 205, page 920:

If we head for lay up tomorrow, those plans are right down the toilet and it's back to the drawing board.

1999, Mark L. Thompson, “Monday, October 28: Lake Michigan, Upbound”, in A Sailor’s Logbook: A Season Aboard Great Lakes Freighters (Great Lakes Books), Detroit, Mich.: Wayne State University Press, →ISBN, page 282:

Poverty is created by institutions, concepts, and policies. We need to go back to the drawing board to redesign these and remove the barriers.

1999, Muhammad Yunus, “Opinion: Must There be Poverty?”, in Carolyn Dedolph, editor, Rice: Hunger or Hope?: IRRI 1998–1999, Makati City, Philippines: International Rice Research Institute, →ISBN, page 2:

Big business wants the main parties to go back to the drawing board on climate policy after the election to try to come up with an agreed plan for an economically efficient way to reduce Australia's emissions and offer investment certainty.

2013 August 19, Lenore Taylor, “Go back to the drawing board on climate policy, business tells politicians”, in The Guardian:

“It’s become clear that in the current environment, ATEAC can’t function as we wanted. So we’re ending the council and going back to the drawing board,” a Google spokesperson told the Guardian in a statement on Thursday.

2019 April 5, Sam Levin, “Google scraps AI ethics council after backlash: ‘Back to the drawing board’”, in The Guardian:

(idiomatic) Indicates that one must try a different strategy for achieving some goal following the failure of a recent attempt.


diametrically

en-adv

diametrically (comparative more diametrically, superlative most diametrically)

more diametrically (comparative)
most diametrically (superlative)

Separated by a diameter, on exactly the opposite side.

täysin vastakkainen

phrasal adjective meaning "diametrically opposed"

"I do not see that we are at all called upon to pay so costly a compliment to society, as to assume a character diametrically opposed to our real one,—to utter sentiments we secretly disbelieve,—and to be as angry with our better nature for bursting from restraint, as at other times with our own inferior nature for refusing to submit to it.

1831, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], Romance and Reality. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, […], →OCLC, pages 141–142:

The distinctness of London has led many to clamor for the capital to pursue its own policies, especially on immigration. The British prime minister, David Cameron, is a Conservative. So is the mayor of London, Boris Johnson. But they have diametrically opposed views on immigration.

2013 September 28, Kenan Malik, “London Is Special, but Not That Special”, in New York Times, retrieved 2013-09-28:

(especially in the phrase diametrically opposed) Absolutely (in opposition).


suspiciously

suspiciously (comparative more suspiciously, superlative most suspiciously)

more suspiciously (comparative)
most suspiciously (superlative)

The police officer looked at her suspiciously.

She was behaving very suspiciously.

(manner) In a way that arouses suspicion.

Suspiciously, he had taken out an insurance policy on his wife just months earlier.

It looked suspiciously like a molding-compound repair of a dent.

(degree) To a degree that makes one suspect something.

կասկածելիորեն

to a degree that makes one suspect something


never in a month of Sundays

never in a month of Sundays (not comparable)

Never in a month of Sundays would I have imagined that you'd be this tall in real life!


zestfully

zestfully (comparative more zestfully, superlative most zestfully)

more zestfully (comparative)
most zestfully (superlative)


topologically

topologically (comparative more topologically, superlative most topologically)

more topologically (comparative)
most topologically (superlative)


blasted

blasted (comparative more blasted, superlative most blasted)

more blasted (comparative)
most blasted (superlative)

That dog is so blasted stubborn.


seamlessly

seamlessly (comparative more seamlessly, superlative most seamlessly)

more seamlessly (comparative)
most seamlessly (superlative)

Imagine this: you walk into work and the camera above the doors scans your face, opening them seamlessly without you lifting a finger.

2019 May 21, Dylan Curran, “Facial recognition will soon be everywhere. Are we prepared?”, in The Guardian:

To allow up to 250,000 passengers a day to move seamlessly between HS2, Elizabeth line and Great Western Main Line services, the station will have 53 lifts and 44 escalators across the 14 platforms.

2023 March 8, Chris Howe, “Building the platform for Old Oak Common's platforms”, in RAIL, number 978, page 60:


downhill

downhill (comparative farther or further downhill, superlative farthest or furthest downhill)

farther (comparative)
further downhill (comparative)
farthest (superlative)
furthest downhill (superlative)

Because we got to the summit of the mountain, we could only go downhill from there.

I worked my way downhill, slip sliding in the mud along a steep embankment that followed a stream until it emptied into a creek.

2006, Michael Pollan, The Omnivore's Dilemma, The Penguin Press, →ISBN, page 388:

After Don made those tasteless remarks, our relationship with him went downhill.

(by extension) Deteriorating, getting worse.


feebly

feebly (comparative more feebly, superlative most feebly)

more feebly (comparative)
most feebly (superlative)

From Middle English febly; equivalent to feeble + -ly, euphonically blending -le and -ly due to difficulty of pronouncing -blely. Compare nimbly, nobly, and Latinate -ably and -ibly.

Feebly ſhe ſhriekt, but ſo feebly indeed / That Britomart heard not the ſhrilling ſound.

1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book IV, Canto VII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 4, page 95:

The hurt nigger moaned feebly somewhere nearby, and then fetched a deep sigh that made me mend my pace away from there.

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 215:


oftentimes

Inherited from the Middle English oftentymes; equivalent to oftentime + -s. Compare oftentime.

But because this is oftentimes dangerous, and much hurt hath been received thereby through casualty of fire, I advise the sticking four stakes into the earth, at least five feet above the ground […]

1804, Robert Wissett, On the Cultivation and Preparation of Hemp:

Pique and linen also accented several coats and oftentimes were both detachable and formed an overcollar covering a collar made from the coat fabric.

1967, Ann Helen Stroup, An Investigation of the Dress of American Children from 1930 Through 1941 with Emphasis on Factors Influencing Change, page 195:

Over the past decade, the very nature of organized crime has changed, with many groups diversifying their income beyond drug trafficking, and large cartels splintering into smaller, oftentimes more nimble groups.

2023 January 10, Whitney Eulich, America Armenta, “Mexico arrests son of ‘El Chapo’: Why don’t citizens feel safer?”, in The Christian Science Monitor:

(chiefly US, elsewhere archaic) Frequently; often.


FTW

Right, and the fact that I ran winXP every day eight hours a day for three years running without the system locking up once means nothing. That said, Linux FTW!

2007 February 2, “Windows Explorer = dead.”, in microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (Usenet), message-ID <1170459548.028084.274220@j27g2000cwj.googlegroups.com>:

(Internet slang) Initialism of for the win.


zealously

zealously (comparative more zealously, superlative most zealously)

more zealously (comparative)
most zealously (superlative)


immunologically

immunologically (comparative more immunologically, superlative most immunologically)

more immunologically (comparative)
most immunologically (superlative)

(immunology) Using immunological methods.


cleanly

cleanly (comparative cleanlier or more cleanly, superlative cleanliest or most cleanly)

cleanlier (comparative)
more cleanly (comparative)
cleanliest (superlative)
most cleanly (superlative)

From Middle English clenly, clenli, clenliche, from Old English clǣnlīċe (“cleanly”), equivalent to clean + -ly.

He was very cleanly dressed, in a blue coat, striped waistcoat, and nankeen trowsers; […]

1849 May – 1850 November, Charles Dickens, “I Make another Beginning”, in The Personal History of David Copperfield, London: Bradbury & Evans, […], published 1850, →OCLC, page 157:

We agreed to break off our relationship cleanly.

Fortunately, the bullet passed cleanly through your shoulder.

Not causing a mess or unnecessary damage.

If I do growe great, ile growe leſſe, for ile purge and leaue Sacke, and liue cleanlie as a noble man ſhould do.

c. 1597 (date written), [William Shakespeare], The History of Henrie the Fourth; […], quarto edition, London: […] P[eter] S[hort] for Andrew Wise, […], published 1598, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iv], signature [K4], recto:

The boy will do well certain : give him grace To have a quick hand and convey things cleanly


superficially

superficially (comparative more superficially, superlative most superficially)

more superficially (comparative)
most superficially (superlative)


rearward

The ensuing struggle was bitter but brief, as for a third time the Alabamians stumbled rearward through the cedars. If Manigault were to take the guns, he would need help.

1991, Peter Cozzens, Better Place to Die: The Battle of Stones River, page 124:


nuch

(surfing, slang, dated) Not much, hardly, barely, to an insignificant degree.


harum-scarum

/ˌhɛəɹəmˈskɛəɹəm/

Uncertain. Likely from hare (“harass, harry”) 'em (“them”) and scare 'em (“frighten them”); alternately the first element may be from hare (“rabbit-like animals”), or the second element may be a variant of stare. Attested from the late 17th century.

1800, Maria Edgeworth, Castle Rackrent
[…] for he never looked after anything at all, but harum-scarum called for everything as if we were conjurors, or he in a public-house.


tacitly

tacitly (comparative more tacitly, superlative most tacitly)

more tacitly (comparative)
most tacitly (superlative)

Your failure to object to the request resulted in you tacitly approving the change.

The new accusation brought by Urban against Manfred of murdering his sister-in-law's embassador – it may be observed that, tacitly, he acquits him of parricide, fratricide, and nepoticide – requires a little explanation.

1856, Mrs. William Busk, Mediæval Popes, Emperors, Kings, and Crusaders: Or, Germany, Italy and Palestine, from A.D. 1125 to A.D. 1268, volume IV, London: Hookham and Sons, →OCLC, page 294:

The assumption that these are identical in meaning and usage between Indian English and Anglo-American English, while tacitly accepted, is untested, and fundamentally unknown.

2012, James Lambert, “Beyond Hobson-Jobson: A new lexicography for Indian English”, in World Englishes, page 306:

In a tacit manner; done in silence or implied.


someplace

We can't find the damned thing, but it must be someplace.


youthfully

youthfully (comparative more youthfully, superlative most youthfully)

more youthfully (comparative)
most youthfully (superlative)

Nonetheless, it would be wonderful if, in the face of inevitable fate, all people could live youthfully and vitally until the end.

1980, Daisaku Ikeda, Yasushi Inoue, Letters of Four Seasons, Harper & Row, page 76:


year-round

They live year-round in Florida.


huffily

huffily (comparative more huffily, superlative most huffily)

more huffily (comparative)
most huffily (superlative)

"Needn't answer if you don't want to," said the man huffily.

1959, Anthony Burgess, Beds in the East (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 522:


glumly

Robert turned and dawdled glumly through the peace of evening[.]

1930, Norman Lindsay, Redheap, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1965, →OCLC, page 29:


downright

From Middle English dounright, dounriȝt, equivalent to down- + right.

He wasn’t just cool to me, he was downright rude.

Familiar! Madam, in Troth he’s down-right rude.

1716, Joseph Addison, The Drummer; or, The Haunted House, London: Jacob Tonson, act I, scene 1, page 8:

And, dear Lady G. he downright kissed me—My lip; and not my cheek—and in so fervent a way—

1753, Samuel Richardson, The History of Sir Charles Grandison, Volume 6, Letter 31, p. 208:

съвсем

really; actually; quite; thoroughly; utterly

The three mates quailed before his strong, sustained, and mystic aspect. Stubb and Flask looked sideways from him; the honest eye of Starbuck fell downright.

1851 November 14, Herman Melville, chapter 36, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC:

(obsolete) Straight down; perpendicularly.

Rosalind. Not true in love?
Celia. Yes, when he is in; but I think he is not in.
Rosalind. You have heard him swear downright he was.

c. 1598–1600 (date written), William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iv]:

Well, ’tis not my Business to quarrel with her downright.

1741, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter 31”, in Pamela: Or, Virtue Rewarded. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to IV), London: […] C[harles] Rivington, […]; and J. Osborn, […], →OCLC, page 146:

(obsolete) Plainly, unambiguously; directly.

The reading of this Paper put Mrs. Bull in ſuch a Paſſion, that ſhe fell dovvnright into a Fit, and they vvere forc’d to give her a good quantity of the Spirit of Hartſhorn before ſhe recover’d.

1712, Humphry Polesworth [pseudonym; John Arbuthnot], “An Account of the Conference between Mrs. Bull and Don Diego Dismallo”, in John Bull in His Senses: Being the Second Part of Law is a Bottomless-Pit. […], Edinburgh: […] James Watson, […], →OCLC, page 18:


anyplace

It’s funny, I’ve never felt anyplace was home before.

1956, James Baldwin, Giovanni’s Room, Penguin, published 2001, Part 2, Chapter 2:

(informal, chiefly US) At a non-specific place; anywhere.


inherently

inherently (comparative more inherently, superlative most inherently)

more inherently (comparative)
most inherently (superlative)

Rights are inherently in all the inhabitants; but charters, by annulling those rights, in the majority, leave the right, by exclusion, in the hands of a few.

In an inherent way; naturally, innately.


legit

legit (comparative more legit, superlative most legit)

more legit (comparative)
most legit (superlative)

(informal) Legitimately; within the law.

He legit thinks he can pass the test on zero sleep.

That legit scared the hell out of me.


erroneously

erroneously (comparative more erroneously, superlative most erroneously)

more erroneously (comparative)
most erroneously (superlative)

/ɪˈɹəʊnɪəsli/


sorta

The portraits on the wall aren't so useful, just sorta cool to have around

'Webb,' he says sorta sorrowful like, 'it looks like a howlin' shame to have a bang-up American girl hooked up to a money-grubbin' member of the British nobility. […]'

1912, Caspar Whitney, Albert Britt, Outing: Sport, Adventure, Travel, Fiction, volume 60, page 680:

In fact the whole thing sorta backfired on old Chuck — and on me and Pete too. Instead of laughing about it, most people thought it was pretty crummy.

1993 July, “Sort of a Hero”, in Boys' Life, page 34:


interstate

[ˈɪɾ̃ɚˌsteɪ̯t]

The truck driver drove interstate to unload.

(chiefly US and Australia) Crossing states (usually provincial state, but also e.g. multinational sense).


awkwardly

awkwardly (comparative more awkwardly, superlative most awkwardly)

more awkwardly (comparative)
most awkwardly (superlative)

In an awkward manner; with discomfort or lack of coordination.


overtime

He worked his mighty money-spinner overtime.

1996, Jon Byrell, Lairs, Urgers and Coat-Tuggers, Sydney: Ironbark, page 186:


shrewdly

shrewdly (comparative more shrewdly, superlative most shrewdly)

more shrewdly (comparative)
most shrewdly (superlative)

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:


macabrely

macabrely (comparative more macabrely, superlative most macabrely)

more macabrely (comparative)
most macabrely (superlative)

1999, Sarah Iles Johnston, Restless Dead
When Heracles returns alive and victorious from Hades, he finds his family macabrely dressed in their funeral garments, awaiting death.


hecka

A euphemism for hella, using heck, a euphemism for hell. Slang meaning “very” or “a lot of”


transversely

Exploring, I found another short gallery running transversely to the first.

1895, H. G. Wells, chapter X, in The Time Machine:


bodacious

bodacious (comparative more bodacious, superlative most bodacious)

more bodacious (comparative)
most bodacious (superlative)

Southern American slang, implied by bodaciously, 1837, either from bodyaciously (“bodily, totally, root and branch”)
(as in “the pigs broke into my fence and destroyed the potato patch bodyaciously”), South Carolina, or a blend of bold and audacious.

Well, he knows by this time, I reckon, that the fastest man afoot can’t noways match speed with a hornet. He taken out through the bresh and thickets, yelpin’ and hollerin’ and hoppin’ most bodacious. He run in a circle, too, for in three minutes he come bellerin’ back, gave one last hop and dove back into the thicket. By this time I figgered he’d wore the hornets out, so I came alive again.

1935 October, Robert E. Howard, “The Riot at Cougar Paw”, in Action Stories:


dutifully

dutifully (comparative more dutifully, superlative most dutifully)

more dutifully (comparative)
most dutifully (superlative)

With a regard to duty; in a dutiful manner.


partway

The timetable for May-December 2022 reveals a service partway back to its pre-COVID level.

2022 September 7, Jim Steer, “CrossCountry: the heart of the nation”, in RAIL, number 965, page 30:

NR is promising ambitious plans for Oxford Road station partway along the crowded [Castlefield] corridor.

2023 June 14, Philip Haigh, “Wait goes on to unblock congested Castlefield Corridor”, in RAIL, number 985, page 51:

In part; part of the way; some of the way.


low-key

low-key (comparative more low-key, superlative most low-key)

more low-key (comparative)
most low-key (superlative)

I'm low key salty about the way that nigga did you but it seems like he still cares about you.

2015, Lady Onyxx, Started From The Top Now I'm Here 3, page 81:

Before I open the messages, I disable the activity notification so no one will know I'm low-key obsessed with a party I didn't get to attend.

2018, Rachel Vincent, Strange New World:

(chiefly Canada, US, colloquial) Kind of.

(slang) In a low-key or surreptitious manner; secretively; understatedly; on the down-low.


wearily

wearily (comparative more wearily, superlative most wearily)

more wearily (comparative)
most wearily (superlative)

From Middle English werily, werelye, equivalent to weary + -ly.

"Yes," said Marvin. "Wearily I sit here, pain and misery my only companions."

1982, Douglas Adams, Life, the Universe and Everything, page 137:

People living in the Portishead area have grown wearily familiar with delays and cost overruns since reopening the railway (part of the MetroWest project) was approved in 2012.

2022 November 30, Andrew Mourant, “Network News: Award of DCO offers major boost to Portishead hops”, in RAIL, number 971, page 26:


genetically

genetically (comparative more genetically, superlative most genetically)

more genetically (comparative)
most genetically (superlative)

From genetic + -ally or genetical + -ly.

Genetically modified crops.

John Smith is genetically related to Jane Doe.

In a manner relating to genes or genetics.

genèticament

in a manner relating to genes or genetics

Hildebrandt is certainly right in maintaining that all dream-images could be explained genetically, if we spent sufficient time and concentration on tracing their origin.

1999, Joyce Crick, translating Sigmund Freud, The Interpretation of Dreams, I.b

(figuratively) In terms of origin or development.

German and Danish are genetically related.

(linguistics) By being members of the same linguistic family.


manyfold

The dramatic narrative of the close of Wolsey's life becomes manyfold more impressive from being told to the discrowned Queen Catherine.

1800, Henry Reed, Lectures on English History and Tragic Poetry, as Illustrated by Shakespeare:

my guess is that the number of NSLs being issued in the "war on terrorism" is probably manyfold what it was prior to 9-11.

2007 March 13, Coleen Rowley, “FBI NSLs Up "Manyfold"--A Clarification”, in Huffington Post, retrieved 2012-08-26:


untimely

untimely (comparative more untimely, superlative most untimely)

more untimely (comparative)
most untimely (superlative)

From Middle English untymely (also earlier untimliche), equivalent to un- + timely. First attested in the early 13th century. Compare Middle Danish utimelig, Old English untídlic (“unreasonable”).

etydate

Tell thee, Macduffe was from his Mothers womb / Untimely ript.

c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene viii], page 151:

They light fires under fruit trees to keep the fruit from falling untimely.

1911, James George Frazer, The Golden Bough, volume 10, page 215:

Couldst thou go from us, in thy beauteous June, / Leaving a sense of joy untimely perished, / Of music stilled too soon?

1916, Florence Earle Coates, In Memory of Caroline Furness Jayne:


raptly

en-adv

raptly (comparative more raptly, superlative most raptly)

more raptly (comparative)
most raptly (superlative)


leastways

“My advice, or, leastways, I should say, my orders, is,” said the fattest man of the party, “that we 'mediately go home again.”

1838, Boz [pseudonym; Charles Dickens], “Looks after Oliver, and Proceeds with His Adventures”, in Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy’s Progress. […], volume II, London: Richard Bentley, […], →OCLC, page 137:

[…]so that I couldn't help telling her, sir, that in our country, leastways in Virginia (they say the Yankees are very pert), young people don't speak of their elders so.

1857–1859, W[illiam] M[akepeace] Thackeray, chapter XXXIV, in The Virginians. A Tale of the Last Century, volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury & Evans, […], published 1858–1859, →OCLC:

‘Cook-housekeeper jobs don’t grow on trees,’ went on the woman, ‘leastways not where you can keep a youngster with you.’

1967, Barbara Sleigh, Jessamy, Sevenoaks, Kent: Bloomsbury, published 1993, →ISBN, page 32:

“I was lucky, just an arm (lost in combat), and the hope of a life, a normal man’s life, leastways”

2018 February 11, Colin Dexter, Russell Lewis, 01:20:14 from the start, in Endeavour(Cartouche), season 5, episode 2 (TV series), spoken by Gordon the usher(uncredited):


upfront

He's a poor defender, so we always play him upfront.


irreparably

irreparably (comparative more irreparably, superlative most irreparably)

more irreparably (comparative)
most irreparably (superlative)

The building was erected in two years, at the parochial expence, on the foundation of the former one, which was irreparably damaged by the hurricane of Auguſt, 1712.

1774, Edward Long, The History of Jamaica. Or, General Survey of the Antient and Modern State of that Island, volume 2, book 2, chapter 7, 5:


downwards

Gravity pulls everything downwards.

Towards a lower place; towards what is below.

After the rise in oil prices, the economy headed downwards.

Towards something which is lower in order, smaller, inferior, etc.


aesthetically

aesthetically (comparative more aesthetically, superlative most aesthetically)

more aesthetically (comparative)
most aesthetically (superlative)

Amid all the fevered anticipation of this fixture, few would have expected to witness an aesthetically pleasing example of the beautiful game.

2014 November 14, Stephen Halliday, “Scotland 1-0 Republic of Ireland: Maloney the hero”, in The Scotsman:

In an aesthetic manner; with a pleasing sensory effect.


southeasterly

southeasterly (comparative more southeasterly, superlative most southeasterly)

more southeasterly (comparative)
most southeasterly (superlative)


incommunicado

From Spanish incomunicado, with spelling influenced by such English words as communicate.

2004, Ben Westhoff, "Making Traks," Riverfront Times, St. Louis MO, 7 Apr,
The Starz seem most comfortable when they're in the studio, where they can work incommunicado.

In a manner in which communication with outsiders is not possible, for either voluntary or involuntary reasons, especially due to confinement or reclusiveness.

isoliert

in a manner in which communication is not possible


in toto

Reverting to Mr. Thompson's letter, I am afraid I differ from him in toto.

1943 May and June, Cecil J. Allen, “British Locomotive Practice and Performance”, in Railway Magazine, page 149:

Republican Governor Robert Ray has personally been urging the legislature to pass the bill with all aspects in toto, and has promised to sign it.

1976 April 17, “Iowa Law Reform”, in Gay Community News, page 2:


sickly

sickly (comparative more sickly, superlative most sickly)

more sickly (comparative)
most sickly (superlative)

sickly pale; to cough sickly

[…] he sickly guess’d
How lone he was once more, and sadly press’d
His empty arms together […]

1818, John Keats, Endymion, London: Taylor and Hessey, Book 2, lines 859-861, p. 93:

The dazed man stared sickly at Casy.

1939, John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath, New York: Viking, published 1962, Chapter , p. 364:

For ten brutal minutes he was in torment, then the pain gradually eased. He felt sickly limp but relieved, thankful for his good health.

1961, Bernard Malamud, A New Life, Penguin, published 1968, Chapter , p. 185:

The creaseless horizontal face of the giant smiled sickly, leering.

2010, Rowan Somerville, chapter 9, in The End of Sleep, New York: Norton, page 66:

In a sick manner; in a way that reflects or causes sickness.


effusively

effusively (comparative more effusively, superlative most effusively)

more effusively (comparative)
most effusively (superlative)


nonstop

He worked nonstop for fourteen hours yesterday, just so he could get today off.

Without stopping; without interruption or break


wisely

wisely (comparative wiselier or more wisely, superlative wiseliest or most wisely)

wiselier (comparative)
more wisely (comparative)
wiseliest (superlative)
most wisely (superlative)

From Middle English wisliche, wislike, from Old English wīslīċe (“wisely”, adverb), equivalent to wise + -ly.

She wisely decided to re-check her homework before submitting it.

"My second command to the Winged Monkeys," said Glinda "will be that they carry you safely to the land of the Winkies. Your brains may not be so large to look at as those of the Scarecrow, but you are really brighter than he is—when you are well polished—and I am sure you will rule the Winkies wisely and well."

1900 May 17, L[yman] Frank Baum, chapter 23, in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Chicago, Ill., New York, N.Y.: Geo[rge] M[elvin] Hill Co., →OCLC:

I still retain an unbounded admiration for G. J. Churchward and all his works, so wisely carried on by his successors.

1947 January and February, H. Holcroft, “"Castles", "Lord Nelsons" and "Royal Scots"”, in Railway Magazine, page 13:


winters

They ski winters in the Laurentians.


compliantly

compliantly (comparative more compliantly, superlative most compliantly)

more compliantly (comparative)
most compliantly (superlative)


someway

Disinclined to read, and slowly pacing the drawing-room, Lord Meersbrook, after looking earnestly at two small pictures, by old masters, which had someway escaped from their brethren, which were heirlooms at Granard Park, he at length began to examine the works of ingenuity which adorned the mantel;...

1842, [anonymous collaborator of Letitia Elizabeth Landon], chapter XXXVI, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 161:

By some strange arts Isabel's wonderful story might have been, someway, and for some cause, forged for her, in her childhood, and craftily impressed upon her youthful mind; which so — like a slight mark in a young tree — had now enlargingly grown with her growth, till it had become this immense staring marvel.

1852, Herman Melville, Pierre; or, The Ambiguities:

Robert spoke of his intention to go to Mexico in the autumn, where fortune awaited him. He was always intending to go to Mexico, but someway never got there.


chop-chop

→ Portuguese: txapo-txapo

From Chinese Pidgin English, from Cantonese 速速 (cuk1 cuk1, “quick”).

‘And another beer! But cold this time, hear that, boy? Muchee coldee, and bring it chop chop.’

1977, John Le Carré, The Honourable Schoolboy, Folio Society, published 2010, page 13:


artificially

artificially (comparative more artificially, superlative most artificially)

more artificially (comparative)
most artificially (superlative)

The actor spoke his lines artificially, with too much intonation.

The chocolate was flavoured artificially.


awesomely

awesomely (comparative more awesomely, superlative most awesomely)

more awesomely (comparative)
most awesomely (superlative)


to beat the band

Jonathon Green suggests that it means to drown out the band, that is, talk or sing louder than the band. See also beat the band.

Fifty dollars gold 'd buy beer to beat the band—enough to drown me if I fell in head first.

1917, Jack London, chapter 7, in Michael, Brother of Jerry:

Last time I saw you, you were a kiddy in short frocks, running around and shouting to beat the band.

1921, P. G. Wodehouse, chapter 7, in The Little Warrior:

You rile me to beat the band sometimes, Skinner.

1922, Peter B. Kyne, chapter 54, in Cappy Ricks Retires:

(idiomatic) In such a way as to surpass all competition; hence, contextually, very vigorously, at a frantic pace, to a high degree.


effortlessly

effortlessly (comparative more effortlessly, superlative most effortlessly)

more effortlessly (comparative)
most effortlessly (superlative)

She hoisted the child effortlessly and plopped him in bed.

Without effort; without difficulty or struggle.

moeiteloos

without effort; without difficulty or struggle


warily

warily (comparative more warily, superlative most warily)

more warily (comparative)
most warily (superlative)

She walked through the dark alley, warily glancing around to make sure she wasn't being followed.

That her little Tarzan could destroy a great bull gorilla she knew to be improbable, and so, as she neared the spot from which the sounds of the struggle had come, she moved more warily and at last slowly and with extreme caution she traversed the lowest branches, peering eagerly into the moon- splashed blackness for a sign of the combatants.

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 6, in Tarzan of the Apes, New York, N.Y.: A. L. Burt Company, 1914 June, →OCLC:

In a careful and guarded manner, especially to avoid potential danger or harm.

He listened to the salesman's pitch warily, sensing a potential scam.

The new king is viewed warily by Bangkok's elites, who have sometimes worried that he sympathises with populist politicians whom the army has twice kicked from power.

2017 January 14, “Thailand's new king rejects the army's proposed constitution”, in The Economist:

Without trust; in a manner showing a lack of trust.


hand in hand

Dates back at least to Old English hand on handa, of the same meaning.

The couple strolled down the sidewalk, hand in hand.

The tendency to follow trends and explore one's sense of self goes hand in hand with being a teenager.

Owing to sensitivities about the force's capabilities, Russell is unable to say how many drones BTP has, or where and when they operate. But he does confide that the force works hand in hand with the helicopter service, and its ability to deploy drones is getting quicker.

2022 February 9, Tom Allett, “The BTP's eyes and ears in the air”, in RAIL, number 950, page 50:

(figurative) Naturally, ordinarily or predictably together; commonly having a correlation or relationship.

As fair and as good, a kind of hand in hand comparison.

1611 April (first recorded performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv]:


atop

He has a handsome face, still bearded in the midst of a mostly clean-shaving nation, and with the white hairs prevalent on the cheeks and temples; his head is bald atop, though hardly from the uneasiness of wearing a crown.

1909, William Dean Howells, Seven English Cities, Kessinger Publishing, published 2004, page 46:

The envoy found the French king playing the part of horse while his young son rode atop.

1978, James C. Humes, Speaker's Treasury of Anecdotes About the Famous, Harper & Row, published 1978, page 102:

Everything large or small is carried atop out of habit as much as necessity, like a delightful but defiant challenge to the laws of gravity.

1985, Wade Davis, The Serpent and the Rainbow, Simon & Schuster, page 52:

Probably cuddled up, spooning. Netflix auto-playing atop their shared covers.

2022, Sean Thor Conroe, Fuccboi, Hachette, →ISBN:

(literary or archaic) On, to, or at the top.


face to face

ja-r

フェイス・トゥ・フェイス

→ Japanese: フェイス・トゥ・フェイス (feisu tu feisu)

→ Spanish: face to face

He sounds intimidating over the phone, but if you meet him face to face you will find he is a friendly enough fellow.

In person; directly; in the physical presence of somebody.

Finally, there I was, face to face with death.

(by extension) Closely encountering (a thing or situation).


nationwide

…Toote became the principal Black surrogate (highest “rank” in the Reagan campaign operation), booking Reagan for appearances before Black organizations and traveling nationwide in his behalf.

1980, Simeon Booker, “Reagan Becomes U. S. President; His Top Blacks Had Key Roles”, in Jet, volume 59, number 10, pages 6–7:


eeny

He eeny most had enough to eat.

He's eeny just come home.


innately

en-adv

innately (comparative more innately, superlative most innately)

more innately (comparative)
most innately (superlative)

Fish innately know how to swim, they don't go to school to learn it.

In an innate manner, referring to a property that is possessed merely by its nature.


dexterously

dexterously (comparative more dexterously, superlative most dexterously)

more dexterously (comparative)
most dexterously (superlative)

He ducked dexterously, and the stool crashed to its own detriment against the wall.

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 264:

In a dexterous manner; skillfully; with precision.


instinctively

instinctively (comparative more instinctively, superlative most instinctively)

more instinctively (comparative)
most instinctively (superlative)

Fish instinctively know how to swim; most humans don't.

She loved him so passionately, and he was so godlike in her eyes; and being, though untrained, instinctively refined, her nature cried for his tutelary guidance.

1891, Thomas Hardy, Tess of the d'Urbervilles, volume 1, London: James R. Osgood, McIlvaine and Co., page 26:

'I am, perhaps, overgreedy, but I sense a good cook instinctively.'

1934, Agatha Christie, chapter 9, in Murder on the Orient Express, London: HarperCollins, published 2017, page 270:

Innately; by instinct; without being taught.

instintivament

innately, by instinct, without being taught


predicatively

The Dutch adjective ‘af’ can only be used predicatively.

As a predicate; giving information about the subject of a sentence.


(Internet slang) Abbreviation of tomorrow.


outback

If we want this country to develop, we have to depend on men who are prepared to go outback and try to discover new shows.

1953, Western Australian Parliament, Parliamentary Debates, page 241:

This has allowed Australians really to go outback in some reasonable comfort to see the attractions of this country.

1984, Australian Senate, Parliamentary Debates: Senate Weekly Hansard, volume 3, page 1474:

Like me, the son was inspired to go outback, and when things went wrong for him the desert seemed like the perfect place to perish and decay, to get blown around on the wind.

2012, Andy Hughes, A Ringer′s Hands, page 10:

To or towards the most remote and desolate areas of Australia.


(Internet slang) Abbreviation of today, tomorrow, forever.


spritely

spritely (comparative more spritely, superlative most spritely)

more spritely (comparative)
most spritely (superlative)


not on your life

Do you think I will ever go back after that? Not on your life!

(idiomatic) Absolutely not; under no circumstances.

not touch something with a ten foot pole


predominantly

predominantly (comparative more predominantly, superlative most predominantly)

more predominantly (comparative)
most predominantly (superlative)

The membership is predominantly elderly, 90% are over age 60.

Both groups are predominantly confined to areas with warm to tropical climates[…]

1992, Rudolf M[athias] Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, Chicago, Ill.: Field Museum of Natural History, →ISBN, page 3:

The first phase of our pilot study found that the signage on the campus grounds was well regulated by the institution and was predominantly English.

2019, Li Huang, James Lambert, “Another Arrow for the Quiver: A New Methodology for Multilingual Researchers”, in Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, →DOI, page 5:

In a predominant manner. Most commonly or frequently by a large margin.


systematically

systematically (comparative more systematically, superlative most systematically)

more systematically (comparative)
most systematically (superlative)

Taxonomy seeks to systematically name all living organisms; each species has one name and everyone can figure out what that name is.

Blast after blast, fiery outbreak after fiery outbreak, like a flaming barrage from within,[…]most of Edison's grounds soon became an inferno. As though on an incendiary rampage, the fires systematically devoured the contents of Edison's headquarters and facilities.

2006, Edwin Black, chapter 1, in Internal Combustion:

Starting from this base list, a number of databases were systematically searched for terms, with especial effort taken to discover the earliest attestation possible[.]

2018, James Lambert, “A multitude of ‘lishes’: The nomenclature of hybridity”, in English World-Wide, page 5:

In an organized manner; utilising a system.


not a chance

Do I think she'll go out with him? Not a chance.


IOW

(Internet) Initialism of in other words.


downstream

We spent the day paddling downstream in our canoes.

She lives downstream from the dam.


laconically

laconically (comparative more laconically, superlative most laconically)

more laconically (comparative)
most laconically (superlative)

From laconic + -ally; from Laconia, the section of Ancient Greece that the Spartans came from; they were notoriously short of speech.

The "King" responded well to this treatment and would have maintained 60 m.p.h. up the steepest part had it not been for a brief bout of slipping, which was quickly corrected by Driver Bailes ("Autumn leaves", he remarked laconically).

1960 February, R. C. Riley, “The London-Birmingham services - Part, Present and Future”, in Trains Illustrated, page 105:

In a terse manner, given to using few words.


notoriously

notoriously (comparative more notoriously, superlative most notoriously)

more notoriously (comparative)
most notoriously (superlative)

/nəˈtɔːɹɪəsli/

The Hempshocks' sheep were notoriously the finest for miles around: shaggy-coated and intelligent (for sheep), with curling horns and sharp hooves.

1999, Neil Gaiman, Stardust, Perennial, published 2001, page 30:

Orton himself notoriously defaced library books before starting to write books himself.

2011, Alan Bennett, “Baffled at a Bookcase”, in London Review of Books, XXXIII.15:

Johnson's contract expires in November, and four weeks as memorable for scandals off the pitch as any achievements on it will do little to appease the notoriously twitchy committee-men at the Rugby Football Union.

2011, Tom Fordyce, Rugby World Cup 2011: England 12-19 France:

Jointed track will be replaced, with standard ballast instead of shingle beneath, to stabilise the rails and improve the notoriously dreadful ride quality.

2021 January 13, Paul Clifton, “Island Line bids farewell to 1930s "icon of transport"...”, in Rail, pages 8–9:

In a notorious or notable manner; as is commonly known.


spanking

From spank (“to move energetically”) + -ing.

brand spanking new

a spanking good time

spanking clean

spanking white

(colloquial, now usually with “new”) An intensifier.


flipping

Do you flipping think I'm stupid?

Do you think I'm flipping stupid?

Just how flipping damn stupid are you?

(euphemistic, chiefly British) Fucking; used as an intensifier to modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs


leniently

leniently (comparative more leniently, superlative most leniently)

more leniently (comparative)
most leniently (superlative)


licentiously

licentiously (comparative more licentiously, superlative most licentiously)

more licentiously (comparative)
most licentiously (superlative)

In a licentious manner, rowdily, overwhelmed by passion and without control of appetites (especially sexual appetites).


head to toe

From Middle English (fram) heved to þe ton.

He fell in a puddle and ended up covered head to toe in mud.

(idiomatic) Entirely; completely; over one's full body.

ոտքից գլուխ

entirely; completely; over one's full body

頭の天辺から足の爪先まで

あたまのてっぺんからあしのつまさきまで

atama no teppen kara ashi no tsumasaki made

од глава до петици (od glava do petici, literally “from head to heels”)

-we reversed positions so there was no funny business.
- Reversed positions?
- Yeah, you know, head to toe.

1995, Tom Gammill, Max Pross, “The Wink”, in Seinfeld, season 7, episode 4:

In reversed positions; in a lying position of two people where each person's feet are juxtaposed with the other person's head.


landward

The seamen furl the canvas, strike the mast,
Then dip their nimble oars, and landward haste.

1718, Nicholas Rowe, Lucan’s Pharsalia Translated into English Verse, 2nd edition, London: J. Tonson, published 1722, Volume I, Book III, lines 73-74, p. 122:

’Twas the returning tide, that afar from the waste of the ocean,
With the first dawn of the day, came heaving and hurrying landward.

1847 November 1, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “V”, in Evangeline, a Tale of Acadie, Boston, Mass.: William D. Ticknor & Company, →OCLC, part I, lines 661-662:

The intertidal mud or sand flat habitat is continuous with many other habitats. Landward, it may be bordered by a beach, marsh, bulkhead, or stretch of riprap.

1984, Alice Jane Lippson, Robert L. Lippson, chapter 3, in Life in the Chesapeake Bay, 2nd edition, Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, published 1997, page 50:

2014, “Is Australia responsible for asylum seekers detained on Manus Island?” ABC News, 27 February, 2014,
“The position of successive Australian Governments has been that the Refugees Convention only applies to persons within Australia’s territorial boundaries (that is, landward of the outer limits of the territorial sea),” the report said.


rowdily

rowdily (comparative more rowdily, superlative most rowdily)

more rowdily (comparative)
most rowdily (superlative)


tiredly

tiredly (comparative more tiredly, superlative most tiredly)

more tiredly (comparative)
most tiredly (superlative)


lackadaisically

lackadaisically (comparative more lackadaisically, superlative most lackadaisically)

more lackadaisically (comparative)
most lackadaisically (superlative)

In a lackadaisical manner; without enthusiasm or interest; perfunctorily.


lethally

lethally (comparative more lethally, superlative most lethally)

more lethally (comparative)
most lethally (superlative)

He was lethally poisoned by the cobra and died a day later of it.

In a lethal manner, in manner which is or will be fatal.


lamentably

lamentably (comparative more lamentably, superlative most lamentably)

more lamentably (comparative)
most lamentably (superlative)

Lamentably the good too die; we will all mourn his passing.

Regrettably. In a manner deserving or inspiring lamentation.


copiously

copiously (comparative more copiously, superlative most copiously)

more copiously (comparative)
most copiously (superlative)


circularly

circularly (comparative more circularly, superlative most circularly)

more circularly (comparative)
most circularly (superlative)

From Middle English circulerlich, equivalent to circular + -ly.


lasciviously

lasciviously (comparative more lasciviously, superlative most lasciviously)

more lasciviously (comparative)
most lasciviously (superlative)


lethargically

lethargically (comparative more lethargically, superlative most lethargically)

more lethargically (comparative)
most lethargically (superlative)

In a lethargic manner, without energy, tiredly.


far cry

In allusion to the sending of criers or messengers through the territory of a Scottish clan with an announcement or summons.

a far cry taller

much: to a great extent or degree; by far


lastingly

lastingly (comparative more lastingly, superlative most lastingly)

more lastingly (comparative)
most lastingly (superlative)

Only by good diplomacy will we lastingly establish peace.

In a lasting manner, in a way that persists.


merrily

merrily (comparative more merrily, superlative most merrily)

more merrily (comparative)
most merrily (superlative)

From Middle English merily, from Old English myriġlīċe; equivalent to merry + -ly.

So quickly the poore mans ſubſtance is ſpent,
But merrily with the world it went,
VVhen men eat berries of the hauthorne tree, […]
And old men knew not vſurie:
Now tis come to a wofull paſſe, […]

1593, anonymous author, The Life and Death of Iacke Straw […], Act I:

Ariell:
Where the Bee ſucks, there ſuck I,
In a Cowslips bell, I lie,
There I cowch when Owles doe crie,
On the Batts backe I doe flie
  after Sommer merrily.
Merrily, merrily, ſhall I liue now
Vnder the bloſſom that hangs on the Bow.

1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i], page 17:

Then Heidi would sit down and chatter merrily away.

1956 [1880], Johanna Spyri, Heidi, translation of original by Eileen Hall, page 50:


laboriously

The heavy man laboriously climbed the steep mountain, pulling himself up inch by inch.

At the far end of the houses the head gardener stood waiting for his mistress, and he gave her strips of bass to tie up her nosegay. This she did slowly and laboriously, with knuckly old fingers that shook.

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

For many years the coal measures on the shores of Lough Allen were worked only in the most primitive fashion, and the coal was transported laboriously in the inevitable ass carts of the Irish peasant.

1951 May, R. K. Kirkland, “The Cavan & Leitrim Railway”, in Railway Magazine, page 339:

With great expenditure of effort, in a manner requiring much labor.


regrettably

regrettably (comparative more regrettably, superlative most regrettably)

more regrettably (comparative)
most regrettably (superlative)

In a manner inspiring or deserving regret.

lamentablement

in a manner inspiring or deserving regret


readably

readably (comparative more readably, superlative most readably)

more readably (comparative)
most readably (superlative)


lamely

lamely (comparative more lamely, superlative most lamely)

more lamely (comparative)
most lamely (superlative)

He lamely tried to lie his way out of the situation, but he wasn't really trying and no-one believed him.

"I quite admire cats," he said. "There is something about them," he added, "which..." He could not find the words. "Which is quite admirable," he ended lamely.

1959, Anthony Burgess, Beds in the East (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 436:

(colloquial) In a foolish or ineffective way.


legibly

legibly (comparative more legibly, superlative most legibly)

more legibly (comparative)
most legibly (superlative)

In a manner that is legible, in a manner that is readable, readably.


languidly

languidly (comparative more languidly, superlative most languidly)

more languidly (comparative)
most languidly (superlative)

He languidly waved his limp wrist, glad to see us, but not wanting to expend the energy to let us know that.

“It is your best work, Basil, the best thing you have ever done,” said Lord Henry, languidly.

1891, Oscar Wilde, chapter I, in The Picture of Dorian Gray, London, New York, N.Y., Melbourne, Vic.: Ward Lock & Co., →OCLC, page 2:

In a languid manner, without force or effort, in a manner requiring little energy or exertion.


lyrically

lyrically (comparative more lyrically, superlative most lyrically)

more lyrically (comparative)
most lyrically (superlative)

"There are no women like the Arab women," said Haji Zainal Abidin dreamily, lyrically.

1958, Anthony Burgess, The Enemy in the Blanket (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 236:

In a manner that is pleasing to hear, as singing or speaking; in a lyrical manner.

a lyrically unimaginative song


lawlessly

lawlessly (comparative more lawlessly, superlative most lawlessly)

more lawlessly (comparative)
most lawlessly (superlative)


forwards

forwards (comparative further forwards, superlative furthest forwards)

further forwards (comparative)
furthest forwards (superlative)


lustily

lustily (comparative more lustily, superlative most lustily)

more lustily (comparative)
most lustily (superlative)

[…] I walked lustily in the park by moonshine till eight, to shake off my dinner and wine; […]

1711, Journal to Stella, Jonathan Swift, Letter XXXVIII, p. 236:

As I entered the room, the fire from the large square stove, where the logs were burning lustily, threw a red, flickering light through the wide-open door over the room[.]

1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 4:

Then, while some of the others gathered around the girl played "Waiting for the Wagon," "Aunt Dinah's Quilting Party," and a number of other favorites, and these the crowd sang lustily.

1908, Arthur M. Winfield, The Rover Boys on the Farm, Ch. XIX, p. 151:

Momma, Monique, and Paula retreat to a corner of the kitchen while the main party, including old Johnny who has winked lustily at Momma's backside all night long, stays behind in the living room…

In a lusty manner: vigorously, loudly, enthusiastically.


learnedly

learnedly (comparative more learnedly, superlative most learnedly)

more learnedly (comparative)
most learnedly (superlative)

The professor spoke learnedly for an hour about his abstruse scholarship; but he couldn't string two words together to speak to the pretty woman.

In an educated and knowledgeable manner.


lucidly

lucidly (comparative more lucidly, superlative most lucidly)

more lucidly (comparative)
most lucidly (superlative)

In a clear and easily understood way, in a lucid manner.


perfunctorily

perfunctorily (comparative more perfunctorily, superlative most perfunctorily)

more perfunctorily (comparative)
most perfunctorily (superlative)

And it was while all were passionately intent upon the pleasing and snake-like progress of their uncle that a young girl in furs, ascending the stairs two at a time, peeped perfunctorily into the nursery as she passed the hallway—and halted amazed.

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

Lim Cheng Po said an Anglican prayer or two, not too perfunctorily.

1959, Anthony Burgess, Beds in the East (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 606:

Tibor was circling the table and asking each of us how our entrée was, and we all regarded this as just one of those perfunctory waiter-questions and all perfunctorily smiled and cleared our mouths and said Fine, Fine—and Tibor finally stopped and looked down at us all with a pained expression and changed his timbre slightly so it was clear he was addressing the whole table: “Please. I ask each: is excellent? […]”

1997, David Foster Wallace, “A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again”, in A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again, Kindle edition, Little, Brown Book Group:

Luján, or, rather, the biped which used to be Luján, walks right up to him. He is a little shorter than Wheeler, but much heavier-set. Rooted to the spot, not thinking clearly, Wheeler holds his violin up, as if this will shield him. The conductor takes the instrument from his unresisting hands and breaks its neck underfoot, perfunctorily, as if crushing a box for recycling.

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

In a perfunctory manner, without interest or concern for quality.


licitly

licitly (comparative more licitly, superlative most licitly)

more licitly (comparative)
most licitly (superlative)

In a licit manner, legally, in a manner compatible with law.


routinely

routinely (comparative more routinely, superlative most routinely)

more routinely (comparative)
most routinely (superlative)

The risk of going out of business was very real, they had suffered disastrous presidents, routinely lost their best players, and were effectively owned by a bailed-out bank, so Lim was welcomed as their saviour.

2017 January 18, Sid Lowe, “Chaos at Mestalla: Valencia's journey from Champions League to utter disarray”, in the Guardian:

In a routine manner, in a way that has become common or expected.

We routinely test the fire extinguishers but no one ever expects them to fail.

Done by rote or habit, as part of a routine, without attention or concern.


lecherously

lecherously (comparative more lecherously, superlative most lecherously)

more lecherously (comparative)
most lecherously (superlative)

The preteen was freaked out when she spotted a college-aged man gazing at her lecherously.

In a lecherous manner; characteristic of a lecher.


lambently

lambently (comparative more lambently, superlative most lambently)

more lambently (comparative)
most lambently (superlative)


lustfully

lustfully (comparative more lustfully, superlative most lustfully)

more lustfully (comparative)
most lustfully (superlative)

From Middle English lustfully, lustfulliche, from Old English lustfullīċe (“gladly, heartily”), equivalent to lustful + -ly.


laughably

From Crewe, of course, the ten-coach load of 347/370 tons was a laughably easy proposition for the two engines, between them in effect making up Class "11" power, and they fairly romped away with the train.

1959 October, Cecil J. Allen, “Locomotive Running Past and Present”, in Trains Illustrated, page 477:

In a manner that can be laughed at, humorous, in a laughable manner.


laxly

en-adv

laxly (comparative more laxly, superlative most laxly)

more laxly (comparative)
most laxly (superlative)

c. 1913, Walter Ripman, The Sounds of Spoken English: A Manual of Ear Training for English Students, New York: E.P. Dutton & Co., p. 56,
The letters e, i, and y in unstressed syllables represent a very laxly articulated sound, for which the sign [i] is used in this book.

A current of passion, which seemed to come from far outside them, ran through them both, and her hand which had lain so laxly on his shoulder tightened, and he turned toward her.

1945, Sinclair Lewis, chapter 45, in Cass Timberlane: A Novel of Husbands and Wives:

The oil families, whatever their original condition, were too grand. So they searched among the families in soft drinks, the families in ice, the transport families, the cinema families, the families in filling stations. And at last, in a laxly Presbyterian family with one filling station, two lorries, a cinema and some land, they found a girl.

1961, V. S. Naipaul, A House for Mr Biswas, Vintage International, published 2001, Part One, Chapter 5:

Just which buildings survived was partly determined by which ones conformed to Taiwan’s sometimes laxly enforced construction codes.

1999 October 4, Jeffrey Kluger, “Tears and Trembling”, in Time:

In a lax manner; without rigor or strictness.


latish

We'll be home latish, perhaps not until 10 p.m.


lavishly

lavishly (comparative more lavishly, superlative most lavishly)

more lavishly (comparative)
most lavishly (superlative)

From Middle English lavausly, equivalent to lavish + -ly.

He was noted to entertain lavishly, throwing the biggest and best parties in town.

At twilight in the summer[…]the mice come out. They[…]eat the luncheon crumbs. Mr. Checkley, for instance, always brought his dinner in a paper parcel in his coat-tail pocket, and ate it when so disposed, sprinkling crumbs lavishly—the only lavishment of which he was ever guilty—on the floor.

1892, Walter Besant, chapter II, in The Ivory Gate […], New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers, […], →OCLC:

In a lavish manner, expending profusely.


unprovoked

unprovoked (comparative more unprovoked, superlative most unprovoked)

more unprovoked (comparative)
most unprovoked (superlative)

He attacked me, suddenly, unprovoked.

'He said, "I won't bugger you"? Really?' 'Yes, really.' 'God. That is a bit suspicious; coming out unprovoked.'

2011, Mil Millington ·, Love and Other Near Death Experiences:

The supernatural are so destructive that they have to create conditions to enable the continuous infliction of mental and physical injuries on others unprovoked.

2012, Lord Loveday Ememe, The Supernatural:

So when one of our own flouts our laws to attack my house unprovoked—”

2015, Mark E. Cooper, Way of the Wolf: Shifter Legacies 1:


lazily

lazily (comparative more lazily, superlative most lazily)

more lazily (comparative)
most lazily (superlative)

She lazily scrubbed the pot, but without some real elbow grease it wasn't going to get clean.

Her ensign dropped limp like a rag; the muzzles of the long eight-inch guns stuck out all over the low hull; the greasy, slimy swell swung her up lazily and let her down, swaying her thin masts.

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 203:

Disembarkation seemed a slow business. From the deck one watched a "Merchant Navy" Pacific drift lazily along the track beside the wall of the Marine Station, and little South Eastern tanks go snorting fussily about.

1946 January and February, 'Talisman', “Bückeburg to Aberayron”, in Railway Magazine, page 41:


legitimately

legitimately (comparative more legitimately, superlative most legitimately)

more legitimately (comparative)
most legitimately (superlative)

In a legitimate manner, properly, fair and square.


legendarily

legendarily (comparative more legendarily, superlative most legendarily)

more legendarily (comparative)
most legendarily (superlative)

The school had taken the first four places and won seven of the twelve exhibitions. The teacher’s notes and private lessons, legendarily virtuous, had triumphed once again.

1961, V. S. Naipaul, A House for Mr Biswas, Vintage International, published 2001, Part Two, Chapter 4:

Touring with Ninja was nothing like legendarily scabrous Led Zeppelin biography Hammer of the Gods: forget coke and groupies, Ninja artists struggled instead with their debilitating addictions to vinyl.

2010 September 21, Stevie Chick, “Ninja Tune Week: An Extract from Stevie Chick’s 20 Years of Beats and Pieces”, in The Quietus:

Amongst one-eyed people we have the Arimaspians and the Cyclops. The former were a race in Scythia, and were legendarily supposed to be in constant war with the gryphons […]

1886, F. Edward Hulme, chapter 2, in Myth-Land:

In his earlier career as a lawyer and U.S. congressman, Scott McInnis’s mustache seemingly gave him the power, like Samson’s hair legendarily gave him, to achieve anything—and so it seemed like an omen when he shaved it off in advance of his gubernatorial run this fall.

2011 February 4, Jef Otte, “The ten most glorious and iconic mustaches of all time”, in Westword:


harshly

harshly (comparative harshlier or more harshly, superlative harshliest or most harshly)

harshlier (comparative)
more harshly (comparative)
harshliest (superlative)
most harshly (superlative)

Yet, if I name my guilt, 't is not to boast, / None can deem harshlier of me than I deem [...].

1819 July 15, [Lord Byron], Don Juan, London: […] Thomas Davison, […], →OCLC, canto I, stanza 193:

The turmoil went on—no rest, no peace. […] It was nearly eleven o'clock now, and he strolled out again. In the little fair created by the costers' barrows the evening only seemed beginning; and the naphtha flares made one's eyes ache, the men's voices grated harshly, and the girls' faces saddened one.

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


landwards

We sailed landwards, hoping to gain the shelter of the cove before the storm hit.


brightly

brightly (comparative brightlier or more brightly, superlative brightliest or most brightly)

brightlier (comparative)
more brightly (comparative)
brightliest (superlative)
most brightly (superlative)

From Middle English brightliche, from Old English beorhtlice, equivalent to bright + -ly.

The sun was shining brightly, making me squint.

The visitors started brightly and had an early chance when Valencia's experienced captain David Albeda gifted the ball to Fernando Torres, but the striker was caught by defender Adil Rami as he threatened to shoot.

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

She looked brightly at Grandmamma, who nodded and said, 'Yes, it's yours now.'

1956 [1880], Johanna Spyri, Heidi, translation of original by Eileen Hall, page 106:

Now he rushed to the platform edge carrying a full fire bucket, in a forlorn attempt to douse the flames as the now brightly burning wagon rolled past.

2022 January 12, Benedict le Vay, “The heroes of Soham...”, in RAIL, number 948, page 42:


limpidly

limpidly (comparative more limpidly, superlative most limpidly)

more limpidly (comparative)
most limpidly (superlative)


laggardly

laggardly (comparative more laggardly, superlative most laggardly)

more laggardly (comparative)
most laggardly (superlative)

They are in virtual contact above with the liver on the right side and the spleen on the left and move laggardly and to a slight degree with respiration.

1917, Charles Lyman Greene, Medical Diagnosis for the Student and Practitioner, page 732:

But none the less, he moved stiffly to the door in order to comply. His legs moved laggardly. Something within him repelled this motion of obedience.

1917, Waldo David Frank, The Unwelcome Man: A Novel, page 108:

Eager as we were to reach Ellsworth, the boss men made us keep those longhorns moving at a leisurely pace. Leisurely. [...] So it was a good thing Mr. Justus and the major kept us moving laggardly.

2016, Johnny D. Boggs, Summer of the Star: A Western Story, Blackstone Publishing, →ISBN:

In the manner of a laggard; sluggishly; slowly.


limply

limply (comparative more limply, superlative most limply)

more limply (comparative)
most limply (superlative)

The flag hung limply in the still air.

Ah, but someone was raising her, so they were going to lay her on the trestles, and she not dead. She opened her eyes, took a deep breath, then limply and contritely placed both arms round Andrew's neck.

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 181:

He went on kissing her with unflagging industry, while she remained limply in his arms, in a species of satisfied trance.

1930, Norman Lindsay, Redheap, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1965, →OCLC, page 122:

In a limp manner, without support or resistance.


seawards

We sailed seawards, away from land and straight towards the open sea.


lifelessly

lifelessly (comparative more lifelessly, superlative most lifelessly)

more lifelessly (comparative)
most lifelessly (superlative)

Without life or appearing to be without life.


glossily

glossily (comparative more glossily, superlative most glossily)

more glossily (comparative)
most glossily (superlative)


lustrously

lustrously (comparative more lustrously, superlative most lustrously)

more lustrously (comparative)
most lustrously (superlative)


lucratively

lucratively (comparative more lucratively, superlative most lucratively)

more lucratively (comparative)
most lucratively (superlative)


luridly

luridly (comparative more luridly, superlative most luridly)

more luridly (comparative)
most luridly (superlative)

The details of the crime were luridly and sensationally described.

In a lurid manner, in a way that contains gauche details or is intended to shock or horrify.


loyally

loyally (comparative more loyally, superlative most loyally)

more loyally (comparative)
most loyally (superlative)

The old dog loyally followed his master even if he didn't really want to go out.


levelly

levelly (comparative more levelly, superlative most levelly)

more levelly (comparative)
most levelly (superlative)

He spoke levelly, with no vocal variety to show his passion.


lewdly

lewdly (comparative more lewdly, superlative most lewdly)

more lewdly (comparative)
most lewdly (superlative)

From Middle English lewedly (“ignorantly, stupidly”); equivalent to lewd + -ly.


eftsoons

From eft (“again, after”) + soon + -s (“adverb suffix”) – both senses (“soon after”, “again”) derive from senses of eft, which is related to after.

And every day, when the convent of this abbey hath eaten, the almoner let bear the relief to the garden, and he smiteth on the garden gate with a clicket of silver that he holdeth in his hand; and anon all the beasts of the hill and of diverse places of the garden come out a 3000, or a 4000; and they come in guise of poor men, and men give them the relief in fair vessels of silver, clean over-gilt. And when they have eaten, the monk smiteth eftsoons on the garden gate with the clicket, and then anon all the beasts return again to their places that they come from..

1357, John Mandeville, The Travels of Sir John Mandeville, modernized spelling edition:

(obsolete, sometimes literary) Once again; another time.

But wil you giue me leaue now eftsones a while to play the Sophister his part with you?

1568, Erasmus Roterodamus; N. L., transl., A Modest Meane to Mariage, Pleasauntly set foorth, Henrie Denham

Now ſtands the Brere like a Lord alone, / Puffed up with pryde and vaine pleaſaunce: / But all this glee had no continuaunce. / For eftſoones Winter gan to approche, / The bluſtring Boreas did encroche, / And beate upon the ſolitarie Brere: / For nowe no ſuccour was ſeene him neere.

1579, Immeritô [pseudonym; Edmund Spenser], “Februarie. Aegloga Se[c]unda.”, in The Shepheardes Calender: […], London: […] Iohn Wolfe for Iohn Harrison the yonger, […], →OCLC, folio 6, verso:

He holds him with his skinny hand,
‘There was a ship,’ quoth he.
‘Hold off ! unhand me, grey-beard loon !’

1800, 1817, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, (1817 edition), third stanza

[…] but when the world is really wise—may that day come eftsoons!

Princess Scarlet fanned herself with the Chinese fan that Supply had provided and, turning to Achmed Ali, said in formal tones, "Belike, sir, I've not seen thy match for overall all-in dancing eftsoons.

1991, Roger Zelazny, Robert Sheckley, Bring Me the Head of Prince Charming, Bantam Books, New York, page 205:

"Eftsoons he will speak unto you," warned the mummy formally; […]

2009 Aug/Sep, Bruce Sterling, “Esoteric City”, in Fantasy/SciFi, volume 117, number 1/2, page 227:


liberally

en-adv

liberally (comparative more liberally, superlative most liberally)

more liberally (comparative)
most liberally (superlative)

Urban Dictionary records at least 66 of the terms found by the present research, but as this dictionary liberally accepts words, definitions, and sample sentences based solely on the say-so of contributors, in the absence of corroboration from other sources the authenticity of some entries must remain dubious.

2018, James Lambert, “A multitude of ‘lishes’: The nomenclature of hybridity”, in English World-Wide, page 2:

In a liberal manner; generously; freely.

In accordance with political views associated with the liberals.


favorably

favorably (comparative more favorably, superlative most favorably)

more favorably (comparative)
most favorably (superlative)

She looked favorably on people who gave freely their assistance.


irreducibly

irreducibly (comparative more irreducibly, superlative most irreducibly)

more irreducibly (comparative)
most irreducibly (superlative)


irrefrangibly

irrefrangibly (comparative more irrefrangibly, superlative most irrefrangibly)

more irrefrangibly (comparative)
most irrefrangibly (superlative)


favourably

favourably (comparative more favourably, superlative most favourably)

more favourably (comparative)
most favourably (superlative)

She looked favourably on people who gave freely their assistance.

(British, Canada) In a favourable manner.


irrefragably

irrefragably (comparative more irrefragably, superlative most irrefragably)

more irrefragably (comparative)
most irrefragably (superlative)

/ɪ.ˈɹɛf.ɹə.ɡə.blɪ/


seasonally

seasonally (comparative more seasonally, superlative most seasonally)

more seasonally (comparative)
most seasonally (superlative)


never in a million years

“What am I going to do with him, Raj? My stepmother won’t let me keep him at home, especially as the little fella got me suspended from school. That woman hated my hamster, she is never in a million years going to let me keep a rat.”

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

“I would never have dreamed in a million years,” he said, “that this would happen.”

2023 April 19, Jesse McKinley, Jay Root, Chelsia Rose Marcius, “Victim’s Father Breaks Down as Bail Is Denied in Wrong-Driveway Shooting”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:


generously

generously (comparative more generously, superlative most generously)

more generously (comparative)
most generously (superlative)

He generously donated what little he could.

The dessert generously filled a large plate.

In a generous manner, in a way that is giving or ample.


profitably

profitably (comparative more profitably, superlative most profitably)

more profitably (comparative)
most profitably (superlative)

"Despite the prevailing external forces, we remain confident in our ability to profitably grow the business in our addressable markets," the company said.

2023 January 25, “Network News: Keltbray receives £33 million credit facility platform”, in RAIL, number 975, page 11:

In a profitable manner, in a way that achieves profit or gain.


perennially

perennially (comparative more perennially, superlative most perennially)

more perennially (comparative)
most perennially (superlative)

The conversation taking place in a cramped corridor at the Stadium of Light had turned to the lack of English players on view on Saturday afternoon. Martin Jol barely paused for thought before answering a perennially vexed question. "It's a problem," said Fulham's manager. "You have to deal with it."

2013 August 20, Louise Taylor, The Guardian:


lithographically

In the manner of, or by means of, lithography.


ceaselessly

ceaselessly (comparative more ceaselessly, superlative most ceaselessly)

more ceaselessly (comparative)
most ceaselessly (superlative)

So the woods are silent, still, and deserted, save by a stray rabbit among the thistles, and the grasshoppers ceaselessly leaping in the grass.

1905, Richard Jefferies, Nature Near London:

So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.

1925, F[rancis] Scott Fitzgerald, chapter 9, in The Great Gatsby, New York, N.Y.: Charles Scribner’s Sons, published 1953, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 182:


kind of

From a reanalysis of kind of in a phrase such as a kind of merry dance from “a kind + of + merry dance” (a type among merry dances) to “a + kind-of merry + dance” (a somewhat merry dance).

I'm getting kind of tired. Could we finish tomorrow?

That's the right answer, kind of.

He kind of hated the idea of Hugo having been with someone else, even though that was superhypocritical, considering Brand's own previous arrangements with Ramie and Jackson.

2022, A. M. Arthur, His Fresh Start Cowboy:

(idiomatic, colloquial) Slightly; somewhat; sort of.


trebly

For my part, I must do my best to save this fellow's trebly worthless life; Jim, you get me a basin.

1883, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island, Cignet Classic, published 1998, page 13:

To three times the extent or degree; triply.


legislatively

The base was legislatively closed: basically they passed a law saying to do it.

By legislation, by the method of enacting laws.


no way

I suppose that meanes meerely humane can no way be capable of it[…].

1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 12, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:

I get it. No way can me and Mickie talk to Rodrigo about what just happened up at the bench he's standing in the big holding cell, other mopes standing around waiting for their cases to be called, eavesdropping on what we're telling him.

2007, Ron Liebman, Death by Rodrigo, New York: Simon & Schuster, →ISBN, page 133:

(now archaic or regional) in no way; not at all


latterly

latterly (comparative more latterly, superlative most latterly)

more latterly (comparative)
most latterly (superlative)

He was formerly a master in Mr. Snowden's academy, at Hull. He latterly suffered much both from disease and poverty, and terminated his life by cutting his throat at the Royal Institution.

1836 June 5, The Gentleman's Magazine, volume 159, page 672:

She had latterly been in great doubt as to what the legal effects of her marriage would be upon her position; but no notice had been taken as yet of her change of name […]

1874, Thomas Hardy, Far From the Madding Crowd, reprinting of 1912 Wessex edition, Barnes & Noble Classics, published 2005, page 337:

[…] the youngest son of an excellent family slightly known to him, who had latterly been studying sculpture at the Rhode Island School of Design […]

1928 February, H[oward] P[hillips] Lovecraft, “The Call of Cthulhu”, in Farnsworth Wright, editor, Weird Tales: A Magazine of the Bizarre and Unusual, volume 11, number 2, Indianapolis, Ind.: Popular Fiction Pub. Co., →OCLC, pages 159–178 and 287:

Latterly the station was reduced to halt status, and tickets were issued by the guard of the train.

1952 December, R. C. Riley, “By Rail to Kemp Town”, in Railway Magazine, page 835:


immeasurably

The sky seems immeasurably large at night.

Yet Mrs Allen found much favour with the décor of the new vehicles. She also agreed that the levels of comfort were "immeasurably higher" than she had previously found.

2024 March 20, Greg Morse, “XP64: the train the ^([sic]) [that] launched a new style”, in RAIL, number 1005, page 47:

In a manner that is not measurable, in a way that cannot be measured.


chronologically

chronologically (comparative more chronologically, superlative most chronologically)

more chronologically (comparative)
most chronologically (superlative)

/ˌkɹɒnəˈlɒdʒɪkəli/

He had aged but a year chronologically, but in appearance a decade.

Moreover, the term [...] is well recorded in British and Australian sources from the 1840s onwards, while the earliest Anglo-Indian evidence only extends as far back as 1865 and so does not hold precedence. Thus, deriving the term from Hindustani is not chronologically admissible on present evidence.

2018, James Lambert, “Anglo-Indian slang in dictionaries on historical principles”, in World Englishes, volume 37, page 255:

(manner) In a chronological manner; with reference to time.

His chapters are arranged thematically, not chronologically.

(sequence) In sequence according to time.


eternally

From Middle English eternally, eternaly; equivalent to eternal + -ly.

I shall be eternally grateful for your assistance.

The colonel and his sponsor made a queer contrast: Greystone [the sponsor] long and stringy, with a face that seemed as if a cold wind was eternally playing on it.

1908, W. B. M. Ferguson, chapter 1, in Zollenstein:


hourly

Express buses depart hourly.

Commencement of a two-hourly service pattern by GWR marked the return of regular services to Okehampton for the first time since their withdrawal in 1972. There are plans to extend this to hourly.

2022 January 12, “Network News: Thousands savour Okehampton visit”, in RAIL, number 948, page 11:


lushly

lushly (comparative more lushly, superlative most lushly)

more lushly (comparative)
most lushly (superlative)

The lushly verdant jungle harbored many plants unknown to outsiders.


out loud

The teacher asked her students to take turns reading the story out loud to the rest of the class.

I received countless private phone calls from very senior railwaymen and women, all with the same message: "Please carry on what you're doing. You are saying what we are all thinking but dare not say. You have our support, but we just can't voice it out loud."

2023 September 20, Nigel Harris, “Comment Special: And it's goodbye from me...”, in RAIL, page 4:

(idiomatic) Using the voice; not silently; aloud.


lankly

lankly (comparative more lankly, superlative most lankly)

more lankly (comparative)
most lankly (superlative)


languorously

languorously (comparative more languorously, superlative most languorously)

more languorously (comparative)
most languorously (superlative)

I stretched languorously, and then remained in bed.

"I did!" She had reached the barricades, and leaned over them languorously. "I can't take all the credit, though, just, you know, most of it." She folded her arms over the edge, and kicked back both of her feet again and again. "Somebody once told me I have a mind like a steel trap."

2023 October 14, HarryBlank, “Face Time”, in SCP Foundation, archived from the original on 2024-05-23:

In a languorous manner; without exertion; lazily.


Anno Domini

Borrowed from Medieval Latin annō Dominī (“in the year of the Lord”) from the word annō (“in the year”) the ablative of annus (“year”) + Dominī (“of the Lord”) the genitive of Dominus (“the Lord”).

bor

In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, King James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini, 1620.

1620, Mayflower Compact, (Please provide the book title or journal name):

The scene was Mr. Cruncher’s private lodging in Hanging-sword-alley, Whitefriars: the time, half-past seven of the clock on a windy March morning, Anno Domini seventeen hundred and eighty.

1859, Charles Dickens, “Book the Second”, in A Tale of Two Cities, London: Chapman and Hall, […], →OCLC:

In the year of our Lord (often abbreviated A.D. or AD).

après Jésus-Christ (abbr. après JC, ap. J.-C., ap. JC)

después de Jesucristo (abbr. d. de J.C.)


ironically

en-adv

ironically (comparative more ironically, superlative most ironically)

more ironically (comparative)
most ironically (superlative)

My colleague ironically avoids doctors like the plague!

(manner) In an ironic manner; in a way displaying irony.

Ironically, the automated checkout system ended up costing more in repairs than the workers it was meant to replace.

(evaluative) Used to draw attention to an ironic aspect of a situation being described.


lengthily

lengthily (comparative more lengthily, superlative most lengthily)

more lengthily (comparative)
most lengthily (superlative)

In a lengthy way, in a manner that is long and drawn out, especially in time.