Etymology From Middle English erthely, erthlich, ierðlich, from Old English eorþlīċ, corresponding to earth + -ly. Cognate with Old Norse jarðligr (“earthly”).
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Relating to the earth or this world, as opposed to heaven or the heavens.
The Garden of Earthly Delights is full of earthly joys alongside grotesqueries, monstrosities, and torture.
(For many walke, of whome I haue told you often, and now tell you euen weeping, that they are the enemies of the crosse of Christ: / Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glorie is in their shame, who minde earthly things.)1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Philippians 3:18–19:
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The shadows of earth and earthly things, resting omen-like upon the waters, alone shewed which was the home and which the mirror of the celestial host.[1832], L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “The Enchantress”, in Heath’s Book of Beauty. M.DCCC.XXXIII. […], London: Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green, and Longman, […] [for Charles Heath], →OCLC, pages 1–2:
Where it had been left hundreds of years ago, / Extract from the depth, is but a setting sun, / Paradise is scarce in this light that won’t shine, / What is our earthly task, but a worthy design?1999, Lætitia Sadier, “The Free Design”, in Tim Gane (music), Cobra and Phases Group Play Voltage in the Milky Night, performed by Stereolab:
We have this […] treasure in frail, brittle, and earthly vessels.1533, John Frith, An Other Boke against Rastel:
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Informal Used in negative contructions for emphasis.
There is no earthly way, I mean no way on earth, that I will ever do that.
The pressures of politics and war seem remote on this lovely stretch of California coastline, but last week there was no earthly way to avoid them.1971 April 4, Robert B. Semple Jr., “The Nation”, in The New York Times, page E1:
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In fiscal terms, there’s no earthly reason for Congress to be stingy with Social Security’s administrative budget.2016 June 10, Michael Hitzlik, “Column: Congress continues its stealth assault on Social Security’s customer service”, in Los Angeles Times:
Etymology From Middle English erthely, erthlich, ierðlich, from Old English eorþlīċ, corresponding to earth + -ly. Cognate with Old Norse jarðligr (“earthly”).
1
Collective, In plural That which is of the earth or earthly; a terrestrial being.
He claims that the book directs the believer to let go of the earthly and await God's kingdom in the heavenly.2018, Tamar M. Boyadjian, The City Lament: Jerusalem across the Medieval Mediterranean, Ithaca & London: Cornell University Press, page 28:
So, let all earthlies and celestials wait / Upon Thy royal state! / Sleep, sleep, my kingly One![1844], Elizabeth Barrett Browning, “The Virgin Mary to the Child Jesus”, in Mrs. Browning's Poems with Memoir, Chicago & New York: Henneberry, stanza 5, page 267:
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UK, Colloquial A slightest chance (of success etc.) or idea (about something).
He arched his eyebrows over the summons. "The poor devil has not an earthly!" said he. "He's lucky to have a summons. Usually they act on a warrant."1925 July – 1926 May, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “(please specify the chapter number)”, in The Land of Mist (eBook no. 0601351h.html), Australia: Project Gutenberg Australia, published April 2019:
You're here, aren't you, if it comes to a bunk but we're there, cut off so to speak, and if anything slips, like what that bloke makes out in his letter, we shan't have half an earthly.1934, Ernest Bramah, The Bravo of London:
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‘Then I didn't have a chance when I stood you a drink?’ I said. ‘Not an earthly!’ she said and laughed; but when I left she kissed me good-night.1974, GB Edwards, The Book of Ebenezer Le Page, New York, published 2007, page 315:
earthly
adv
Etymology From Middle English erthely, erthlich, ierðlich, from Old English eorþlīċ, corresponding to earth + -ly. Cognate with Old Norse jarðligr (“earthly”).
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in an earthly manner.
But earthlyer happy is the roſe diſtild, / Then that, vvhich, vvithering on the virgin thorne, / Grovves, liues, and dies, in ſingle bleſſedneſſe.c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, A Midsommer Nights Dreame. […] (First Quarto), London: […] [Richard Bradock] for Thomas Fisher, […], published 1600, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]:
and dost thou, indeed, revive to existence only to again (even in more attempered blood) design the death of the innocent, helpless, orphaned memorial of a pure, a heaven and earthly-sanctioned flame, whose venial trespass was but the forestalment of your own decree?1827, Sarah Wilmot Wells, Tales; Mournful, Mirthful, and Marvellous, volume 3, page 94:
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And here again we observe the great advantage of the heavenly over the earthly appointed courts.1886, Thomas Martin McWhinney, Reason and Revelation, Hand in Hand, page 324:
Under such circumstances it is wise that church and state be separated, for such an earthly ordained priesthood has no more ability to rule wisely than have civil rulers.1927, Harriette Augusta Curtiss, The Message of Aquaria, page 431:
The Lord has allowed me to see a striking similarity between this heavenly anointed cherub and this earthly anointed cherub (messenger) of God.2010, Patricia Ann Sunday, Jimmy Swaggart: the Anointed Cherub That Covereth, page 1:
Qualifications are heavenly ordained, not earthly appointed; it is God Who has qualified us as saints and made us fit to share in His eternal salvation. It is not our own efforts and accomplishments that have qualified us; […]2016, Bruce W. Hubbard, Marlene Hubbard, The Way of Grace: