Etymology From game + -ly; compare Old English gamenlīċ (“belonging to games, sportive, theatrical, ridiculous”) and Middle High German gāmelich, gemelich (“joyful”).
1
Sportive; lively; joyful.
That's what I wanted: a challenging race, a gamely fight.2004, David Unger, Life in the damn tropics: a novel:
This confirmed the penetration of the theoretical knowledge of color when it is taught using a gamely practice where the act of working come to be a pleasure.2004, Jose Luis Caivano, editor, AIC 2004 Color and Paints, Proceedings
3 more examples
"A worthy prospect, I must say." Sterling nodded. "I'll introduce you to Mr. Flynn, once we reach Orleans." Jack gasped like a man stabbed. "Would by chance your friend be a pale looking sort with a gamely laugh?" Sterling drew his head back.2005, Ross Eddy Osborn, Thorns of a Tainted Rose:
Costumed as Whittington's beloved cat, in a knee-length black cloak that swirled around tight broadcloth trousers and jack boots, she trod the floor with a gamely dignity that cast all the requisite princesses and pretty shepherdesses in a pale light.2009, Jillian Hunter, A Wicked Lord at the Wedding:
Here was a sober young Harlemite in a gamely tilted bowler with a little French mustache.2011, Amor Towles, Rules of Civility:
2
Fishing, Hobbies, Hunting, LifestyleUsually Of or pertaining to game.
The black bass was strongly recommended as a gamely creature and as excellent for the table, and it was put into Meeting-house Pond.1893, William Sweetzer Heywood, History of Westminster, Massachusetts:
gamely
adv
Etymology From game + -ly; compare Old English gamenlīċ (“belonging to games, sportive, theatrical, ridiculous”) and Middle High German gāmelich, gemelich (“joyful”).
1
In a game or plucky manner; in a willing and spirited fashion.
Stoke pressed gamely but clear chances were few and Fulham held on to record a first away league win in 16 months.2010 December 28, Marc Vesty, “Stoke 0 - 2 Fulham”, in BBC:
Many of the other boats cut in, with their radios, to cheer Dick on, while he gamely fought the huge fish. The monster was continually stripping line off the reel, as Dick fought gamely; reeling for all he was worth!2011, Harry Grigsby, Key Largo Adventures:
1 more example
But her belief in the fruits of that labor[…]means that she will gamely take whatever licks and praise might come with being in charge and trying to stay on the cutting edge.2022 March 17, Joe Coscarelli, “Rosalía Reserves the Right to Transform”, in The New York Times, →ISSN: