Middle English Dictionary Entry
nīcelī adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | nīcelī adv. |
| Etymology | From nīce adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Foolishly, stupidly; (b) sluggishly, indolently; (c) extravagantly, foppishly; (d) lasciviously; (e) wickedly.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.373 : No man schulde niseliche [Higd.(2): in foly; L temere] wende yn wiþ oute leue of þe bisshop.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)145b/a : The coluere..is nyseliche [L stulte] curious, for sittynge on a tree sche byholdeþ and lokeþ alaboute.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.1152 : She wol nat maken peple nycely [vr. nysely] Gaure on hire whan she comth.
- a1500(a1400) Ipom.(1) (Chet 8009)7270 : What arte thou, That so nycely answeris nowe?
- a1500(?a1400) KEdw.& S.(Cmb Ff.5.48)878 : Alle..lowȝ hym to hethyng For he so nycely ȝede in halle.
- c1500(?a1437) ?Jas.I KQ (SeldArch B.24)st.12 : It is a bell, or that impressioun Off my thoght causith this illusioun, That dooth me think so nycely in this wis.
b
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)355 : Nycely: Inerte.
c
- c1450(c1353) Winner & W.(Add 31042)410 : Now are þay nysottes of þe new gett, so nysely attyred.
- c1475 Body Pol.(Cmb Kk.1.5)118/9 : Nor they wer not nycely arayed as som men be nowe a dayes.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Add 9066)388 : How nysely [he] arayes his childryn!
d
- c1500 O lorde so (Hnt EL 1160)15 : He gropith so nyslye a-bought my lape, I haue no pore to sa[y hym nay].
e
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.297 : Sir Hugh of Crissengham he did nycely & mys; þe tresore with him he nam..& wild gif no wages to þe folk.