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Definition of portly - 3 dictionary results

port⋅ly

[pawrt-lee, pohrt-]
–adjective, -li⋅er, -li⋅est.
1. rather heavy or fat; stout; corpulent.
2. Archaic. stately, dignified, or imposing.

Origin:
1520–30; port 5 (n.) + -ly


port⋅li⋅ness, noun
port·ly   (pôrt'lē, pōrt'-)   
adj.   port·li·er, port·li·est
  1. Comfortably stout; corpulent. See Synonyms at fat.
  2. Archaic Stately; majestic; imposing.

[From port5.]
port'li·ness n.

portly 
1529, "stately, dignified," from port (3) "bearing, carriage" (q.v.). Meaning "stout" is first recorded 1598.
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