Middle English Dictionary Entry
rāth(e)lī adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | rāth(e)lī adv. Also raitheli. |
| Etymology | From rāthe adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. radli adv.
1.
(a) Quickly, swiftly; readily, soon; immediately, at once; (b) early; (c) ~ the hem, ?error for graithe by the hem [cp. greithen v. 2.(b)].
Associated quotations
a
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)3179 : Sche wex wod of hire wit..& raþli gan a-way renne.
- a1400 Cursor (Phys-E)23926 : If ik eft fal on ani wis, Ratheli [Vsp: Rapeli; Göt: fast] do me for to ris.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.113 : Steuen stoutly deles, in stedes þor he kennes, Þat ageyn him holdes kasteles, on þam raþely rennes.
- a1425(c1333-52) Minot Poems (Glb E.9)24/91 : Þe teres he lete ful rathly ren Out of his eghen.
- a1425(c1333-52) Minot Poems (Glb E.9)27/6 : Whilum war ȝe wight in wede, To robbing rathly for to ren.
- ?a1425(?a1350) Castleford Chron.Lear (Göt Hist 740)591 : Rathly qwen schruded was þe kyng Leir In kynges atyre..Sandesmen he toke..And sent vnto kyng Aganippe.
- c1440(a1400) Eglam.(Thrn)1223 : Hauraunds of armes bygan to crye Grete lordis full rathely Into a felde so brade.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2880 : So raythely þay rusche with roselde speris That the raskaille was rade and rane to þe grefes.
- c1440 When adam delf (Thrn)64 : No latyn ne lawe may helpe an hawe, Bot rathely vs repente.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)240/6 : Sette ȝou doune rathely And reste ȝou.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)11335 : He rayse and rathly [vr. redily] hym arayd.
- c1450 How GWife(1) (Lamb 853)200/95 : Loke weel what is moost neede to doone, And sette þi meyne þerto boþe ratheli and soone.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)229/22 : Than were they so wroth that away wolde they never, but rathly russhed oute their swerdys.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)270/402 : Luf gars hym rathly..Vs all fro baill to by.
b
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)4509 : At morne rathely vp he rase.
c
- a1500 Wars Alex.(Dub 213)1538 : Syne he kest on a Cape of castans hewe With riche rybans of gold raythely þe hem [Ashm: railed bi þe hemmes].