sleighly

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Middle English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From sly +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈsliːliː/, /ˈslɛi̯liː/, /ˈslixliː/, /ˈslɛi̯xliː/, /-liːtʃ(ə)/

Adverb

sleighly

  1. Judiciously, consideredly, shrewdly; in a wise way.
  2. Adeptly, expertly, in an expert or skilled way.
    • 1470–1485 (date produced), Thomas Malory, “(please specify the chapter)”, in [Le Morte Darthur], book V, by William Caxton], published 31 July 1485, →OCLC; republished as H Oskar Sommer, editor, Le Morte Darthur , London: David Nutt, , 1889, →OCLC:
      He wolde nat abyde uppon no poure man for no maner of thyng—and ever he slow slyly and slypped to another, tylle all were slayne to the numbir of a hondred thousand
      He wouldn't wait for any poor man for anything; and he always slayed (his enemies) skillfully then quietly moved on to the next one, until all 100,000 of them had been killed.
  3. Attentively; with care, attention or discernment.
  4. Slyly, artfully; intelligently and using deception.
  5. Without being noticed or detected; covertly.

Descendants

  • English: slyly, slily
  • Scots: sleely, sleelie

References