featly
English
Etymology
From Middle English fetly, corresponding to feat + -ly.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈfiːt.li/
Adverb
featly (comparative featlier, superlative featliest)
- (archaic, dialectal) Properly; suitably.
- 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 1, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book III, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:
- Why may not a man beare himselfe betweene enemies featly [translating commodément] and faithfully?
- (archaic, dialectal) With skill or talent; cleverly, skilfully.
- 1528, Thomas More, “A Dialogue Concernynge Heresyes & Matters of Religion […]. Chapter IIII.”, in Wyllyam Rastell [i.e., William Rastell], editor, The Workes of Sir Thomas More Knyght, […], London: […] Iohn Cawod, Iohn Waly, and Richarde Tottell, published 30 April 1557, →OCLC, book III, page 213, column 2:
- He had alſo ſet a prieſt of his and a ſeculer ſeruaunt of his beſyde to by [buy] many of the ſame ſuyte [of books], & double and treble of one ſorte, whiche were by thẽ [them] vttred to diuers yonge ſcholers ſuch as thei founde properly witted, feately lerned, and newfangly mynded.
- (archaic, dialectal) Gracefully or elegantly.
- 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 I, scene ii]:
- […] Foot it featly here and there; / And, sweet sprites, the burden bear.
Translations
Adjective
featly (comparative featlier, superlative featliest)