Middle English Dictionary Entry
fētlī adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | fētlī adv. |
| Etymology | From fēt adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. fetisli.
1.
(Join) properly, neatly; (speak, kiss) elegantly, prettily; (delude) craftily.
Associated quotations
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)585 : He þat fetly in face fettled alle eres.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1758 : Þe lady luflych com laȝande swete..and fetly hym kyssed.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)8.142 : Cast out the squylle & clense feetly wel [L diligentius].
- a1450-a1500(1436) Libel EP (Warner)350 : The grete galees of Venees and Florence Be wel ladene wyth..thynges, wyth whiche they fetely [vrr. fetly, fettly] blere oure eye Wyth thynges not endurynge that we bye.
- c1450 Treat.Fish.(Yale 171)8 : Bynd hem to gydur fetely, so þat þe cropp may justly entur all in to þe seyd hole.
- a1500 Chaucer CT.Prol.(Hrl 7333)A.124 : Fetlye [crit.ed.: Frenssh she spak ful faire and fetisly].