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ruly. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
ruly, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
ruly in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
ruly you have here. The definition of the word
ruly will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
ruly, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
From Middle English rewly, ruly, rewely, reweliche, from Old English hrēowlīċ (“grievous, pitiful, sad, wretched, cruel”), equivalent to rue + -ly.
Adjective
ruly (comparative rulier or more ruly, superlative ruliest or most ruly)
- (obsolete) Pitiable; miserable.
Etymology 2
From Middle English rewly, reoly, reowliche, from Old English hrēowlīċe (“cruelly”), equivalent to rue + -ly.
Adverb
ruly (comparative rulier or more ruly, superlative ruliest or most ruly)
- (obsolete) Pitiably; miserably.
Etymology 3
Back-formation from unruly, or perhaps a continuation of Middle English rewly, ruly, reuli (“subject to a religious rule, regular”), equivalent to rule + -ly, rule + -y; or perhaps from Old French rulé, reulé, rieulé (“ruled”), past participle of rieuler (“to rule”). More at rule.
Adjective
ruly (comparative rulier, superlative ruliest)
- (rare) Neat and orderly.
2022, Jim Crace, eden, Picador, page 224:What is certain is that everything they see is strange: the lifeless neatness of the courtyard, the straightness of the paths, the ruly gang of labourers in their dull uniforms and with their ageless, polished faces.
Czech
Pronunciation
Noun
ruly f
- inflection of rula:
- genitive singular
- nominative/accusative/vocative plural