ferly

or fer·lie

[ fer-lee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural fer·lies.

something unusual, strange, or causing wonder or terror.
astonishment; wonder.

adjective

unexpected; strange; unusual.

ferly

/ ˈfɛrlɪ /

adjective

wonderful; strange

noun

a wonder; something strange or marvellous

verb

to wonder; be surprised

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Word History and Origins

Origin of ferly¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English fæ(i)rlich, feorlic(h), from Old English fǣrlīc, equivalent to fǣr “sudden danger” + -līc, adjective suffix; cognate with German gefährlich, Dutch gevaarlijk “dangerous”; fear, -ly

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Word History and Origins

Origin of ferly¹

Old English færlic sudden

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Example Sentences

It is nae mair ferly to see a woman greit than to see a goose go barefit.

From Project Gutenberg

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