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-ly

 - 3 dictionary results

-ly

 
Use -ly in a Sentence
1. a suffix forming adverbs from adjectives: gladly; gradually; secondly.
2. a suffix meaning “every,” attached to certain nouns denoting units of time: hourly; daily.
3. an adjective suffix meaning “-like”: saintly; cowardly.
Origin:
(adv.) ME -li, -lich(e), OE -līce (-līc adj. suffix + -e adv. suffix); (adj.) ME -li, -ly, -lich(e), OE -līc (c. G -lich), suffixal use of gelīc like 1

Synonyms:
3. See -ish 1 .
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To -ly
-ly 1  
suff.  

  1. Like; resembling; having the characteristics of: sisterly.

  2. Recurring at a specified interval of time: hourly.


[Middle English -li, from Old English -līc (influenced by Old Norse -ligr); see līk- in Indo-European roots.]
-ly 2  
suff.  

  1. In a specified manner; in the manner of: gradually.

  2. At a specified interval of time: weekly.

  3. With respect to: partly.


[Middle English -li, from Old English -līce (influenced by Old Norse -liga), from -līc, adj. suff.; see līk- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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