afraidly
advEtymology From Middle English affrayedly, affrayitly; equivalent to afraid + -ly.
1
In an afraid manner.
- Birdes with many a piteous pew, / Afraidly in the Aire they flew. So long as they had ſtrength to flée / Then ſwattered down into the ſea:[…]1648, David Lindsay, “A Dialogue, of the Miserable Estate of the World, Between Experience and the Courteour”, in The VVorkes of the Famous and Worthie Knight, Sʳ. David Lindsay. of the Mount, Alias, Lyon, King at Armes. […], Edinburgh: […] Gedeon Lithgovv:
- He came back gain very affrayedly, and out at the door, and show[ed] so mony as bidden in the hall what he had heard, wha assayit to pass to the chalmer, to know what was there;1572–1578, Domestic Annals of Scotland, published 1859, page 106:
4 more examples
- When Scottishmen hes séene them sa / Affrayedly flee all their way[…]1620, [John Barbour], The Actes and Life of the Most Victorious Conquerour, Robert Bruce, King of Scotland VVherein Also Are Contained the Martiall Deeds of the Valiant Princes, Edward Bruce, Syr Iames Dowglas, Erle Thomas Randel, Walter Stewart, and Sundrie Others, Edinburgh: […] Andro Hart, page 342:
- […]; many honeſt men then followed, and made ſuch diligence, that they cauſed the French once to retire ſomewhat affrayedly.1644, The Historie of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland; Containing Five Books: Together with Some Treatises Conducing to the History, London: […] John Raworth, for George Thomason and Octavian Pullen, page 204:
- Could these be men just returned from battle?—those gentle, half-timid individuals who already had forgotten their morning’s lust and now were afraidly polite?1919, Harold M[elvin] Hays, chapter II, in Cheerio!, New York, N.Y.: Alfred A. Knopf, page 31:
- “Eyes—”[…]Charlie scribed directions. “Teeth —[…].” Charlie wrote. “Entire face—This show signs of dilapidation, elliptickle contortion & curviture of the smile. This need to be removed, stretched over portait of Apollo Belvedere and baked 4 hrs. at even temperature.” He pause slowly. I listen to his silence. “Are that all?” I pronounce distinctually. “All except your complexion,” he denote. “That of course should be bleached to match your new hair & eyes. I should snuggest the Wawaw Treatment.” “How you do that?” I jar afraidly. “Merely by placing your head in a tub of hot pineapple jam and keeping him there until satisfied,” he pulmote.1924 March 23, Wallace Irwin, “Letters Of A Japanese Schoolboy: Togo Prefers His Own Style Of Beauty”, in The Sun, volume 24, number 12D, Baltimore, Md.:
- Related terms
- unafraidly