Middle English Dictionary Entry
fairlī adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | fairlī adv. Also vairliche. |
| Etymology | From fair(e adv. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Beautifully, with splendor; decorously; (b) gently, slowly; (c) as an intensive: outright, roundly, right.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)159/26 : All the hoost cometh fayrely after him in gret multitude.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)43b : Fayrly: ornate, venuste, decusatim.
b
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)61/21 : On þe Seterday it rynnez fast, and all þe weke elles it standes still and rynnez noȝt, or elles bot fairely.
c
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)59 : Of þan þet..al þet oþre doþ and ziggeþ altogidere uayrliche blamyeþ.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)5142 : Þai..leuyn þere horses And ferdon on fote, fairly to-gedur.