comelyadj.n.

Brit.

/ˈkʌmli/, U.S.

/ˈkəmli/

Forms: Old English cymlic, Middle English comelich, Middle English comeliche, Middle English comelokur (comparative), Middle English comelyche, Middle English comle, Middle English comlich, Middle English comliche, Middle English comloker (comparative), Middle English comlokest (superlative), Middle English comlych, Middle English comlyche, Middle English commly (in a late copy), Middle English coumly (in a late copy), Middle English cumelich, Middle English cumli, Middle English cumlic, Middle English cumlich (in a late copy), Middle English cumliche, Middle English komli, Middle English kumelich, Middle English–1500s commely, Middle English–1500s cumly, Middle English–1600s comelye, Middle English–1600s comli, Middle English–1600s comly, Middle English– comely, 1500s combly, 1500s comeli, 1500s commelie, 1500s cumelie, 1500s cumlie, 1500s–1600s comelie; English regional 1800s cumbly (northern), 1800s cumley (Northumberland); also Scottish pre-1700 comiley, pre-1700 comle, pre-1700 comlie, pre-1700 cumblie, pre-1700 cumbly, pre-1700 cumlie, pre-1700 cumly, pre-1700 cumlye, pre-1700 1800s comelie.

Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: English cȳme , -ly suffix¹.

Etymology: < Old English cȳme fine, handsome, comely (see below) + -ly suffix¹, in later use remodelled after come v. (see note).Further etymology. Old English cȳme is cognate with North Frisian (Mainland) käim , keem weak, delicate, fussy, beautiful, East Frisian (Wangeroog) keim pure, Dutch (regional: Gelderland) kuim weak, Middle Low German kǖme weak, decrepit, Middle High German kūm , kūme thin, weak, frail, fragile (early modern German küm frail, German (regional) chum , küm , küme , käume sickly, weak, infirm, fussy, moaning). The same Germanic base is reflected by the verbs Old Frisian kēma to lament, complain, Middle Dutch cūmen to moan, lament (Dutch (regional) kuimen ), Old Saxon kūmian to lament, Old High German kūmen (also kūmōn ) to moan, lament, complain (Middle High German kūmen to lament, mourn, German (regional) käumen to moan, whine, and also by a number of other derivative formations, including: Old High German kūmīg weak, tired, frail, sick (German (regional) chumig , kümig , käumig sickly, weak, infirm, fussy, moaning), Middle Low German kūme (adverb) with difficulty, hardly, Old High German kūmo (adverb) with difficulty (Middle High German kūme , kūm with difficulty, hardly, German kaum hardly). See also kimet adj. and forms discussed at that entry. This Germanic base apparently shows an extended form (m -extension) of the Indo-European base of (with different ablaut grades): Old English cīegan to call, to summon, to invoke, to cry, Old High German (prefixed) gikewen to call, Sanskrit -gū (in joguve calls), ancient Greek γοᾶν (uncontracted γοάειν ) to cry, lament, and also (with different root extension) Old Church Slavonic govorŭ noise, shout, clamour. Semantic development. If the hypothesis about its further etymology is correct, the original sense of the base in Germanic was perhaps ‘miserable, wretched’ (from earlier ‘lamenting’). If so, the main lines of semantic development from this were probably to ‘weak, frail, sickly’, whence ‘feeble-minded, stupid, foolish’ (compare kimet adj.), and ‘thin, delicate, fine’ (while the adverbs Middle Low German kūme and Old High German kūmo imply a different development to ‘hard, difficult’). From these, ‘thin, delicate, fine’ was probably the main line of development to the meanings ‘fine, handsome, comely’ of Old English cȳme . Old English evidence. In Old English the adjective cȳme and its derivatives are typically used with positive connotation (although the precise shade of meaning can sometimes be difficult to determine); compare also the negative form uncȳme mean, paltry, poor. An apparent exception is cymnis fastidiousness, daintiness (apparently < cȳme + -ness suffix) in an isolated glossarial attestation rendering Latin fastidium, odium , although this may perhaps originate in an error for cīsness fastidiousness, squeamishness, aversion (compare chis adj.). Association with come v. Following the shortening of the stem vowel before the consonant cluster -ml- (probably already in Old English), the word was reinterpreted as a derivative of come v., perhaps due to the existence of derivatives of that verb showing the mutated vowel (see come n.¹) as well as the existence of mutated forms of the present stem (see discussion at come v.). In Middle English, the stem vowel was levelled to that of come v., as it was in come n.¹ The development of sense A. 2 is apparently due to the influence of come v.: compare become v. III.

A. adj.

a. Of an object, item of clothing, building, etc.: elegant, beautiful, or delicate in appearance, form, or composition. Now archaic.In later use passing into sense A. 2a.In quot. OE¹ describing an iceberg.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective]

faireOE

comelyOE

winlyOE

goodlyOE

hendya1250

hendc1275

quaintc1300

seemlyc1305

tidya1325

avenant1340

honestc1384

sightya1387

properc1390

well beseena1393

queema1400

speciousa1400

featousc1400

parisantc1400

rekenc1400

well-favoureda1438

wellc1450

spectable?a1475

delicatec1480

jollya1500

bonny?a1513

snog1513

viewlyc1536

goodlikec1550

sightly1555

sightful1565

beholdinga1586

eyesome?1587

decent1600

vage1604

prospicuous1605

eyely1614

fashionable1630

well-looking1638

softa1643

fineish1647

well-looked1660

of a good (also ugly, etc.) look1700

likely-looked1709

sonsy1720

smiling1725

aspectable1731

smirkya1758

likely-looking1771

respectable1776

magnificent-looking1790

producible1792

presentable1800

good-looking1804

nice-looking1807

bonnyish1855

spick1882

eyeable1887

aegyo2007

OE Riddle 33 2 Wiht cwom æfter wege wrætlicu liþan, cymlic from ceole cleopode to londe, hlinsade hlude.

OE Paris Psalter (1932) cxxi. 3 Hierusalem, geara ðu wære swa swa cymlic ceaster getimbred.

a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 2056 (MED) Noþing he no fond wiþ-inne hire comly cortynes, but hire cloþes warme.

c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 546 (MED) In his comlych corte þat Kyng is of blysse.

c1475 (c1399) Mum & Sothsegger (Cambr. Ll.4.14) (1936) iii. l. 174 In comliche cloþinge as his statt axith.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Tim. ii. B That they araye them selues in comly apparell.

1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 364 Banners, Penons, Standards of silke, so sumptuous and comely that it was a maruell to beholde.

1630 tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World (rev. ed.) ii. 133 Broader streets, comelier monuments, and handsomer buildings.

1645 J. Milton Il Penseroso in Poems 42 Civil-suited Morn..Not trickt and frounc't..But Cherchef't in a comly Cloud.

1703 R. Neve City & Countrey Purchaser 87 Sometimes little sneaking ill-contrived Stair-cases are built in a good comely large Structure.

1720 J. Strype Stow's Surv. of London (rev. ed.) I. i. xxix. 249/2 In the Castle Yard was pight a comely Quintane.

1839 Southern Lit. Messenger July 449/2 He had spread out a comely pallet of bear and buffalo skins.

1857 N. Hawthorne Jrnl. 27 May in Eng. Notebks. (1997) II. vi. 240 Surrounded by quiet, ancient and comely habitations.

1909 A. Bennett Lit. Taste 87 Every Englishman..ought to own a comprehensive and inclusive library of English literature, in comely and adequate editions.

2005 Time Out N.Y. 20 Oct. 51/1 Comely silver and brown cotton-percale sheet sets..will spur you into a hospital-corners habit.

b. Of a person: attractive, beautiful, handsome; graceful, elegant. In later use also: pleasant in appearance but not strikingly beautiful. Now literary.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective] > specifically of persons

faireOE

seemlya1225

featous1340

jolly?a1366

tretis?a1366

comelya1375

covenablea1375

well-beseenc1374

favourablea1398

farrandc1400

personable?1435

well-favoureda1438

covenantc1440

likelyc1450

trety?c1450

tret1488

decore?a1513

jimp?a1513

wally?a1513

smotter?1520

snout-fair1530

well-looking1613

comely-looking1648

personal1658

comely-looked1664

winsome1677

tidy1714

good-looking1715

well to be seen1809

a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 2704 (MED) Þat corteys quen & hire comliche douȝter.

c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 53 He þe comlokest kyng þat þe court haldes.

?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 533 (MED) He was so comely and so fayre.

?c1500 Mary Magdalene (Digby) l. 67 No comlyar creatur of goddes creacyon.

1595 F. Sabie Fissher-mans Tale sig. C3 I sawe one Lasse farre comelier than the rest, A peerlesse peece, an heart-delighting gyrle.

?c1615 Chron. Kings of Scotl. (1830) 101 Ane cumlie ȝowth of braw statour.

1664 S. Pepys Diary 28 Feb. (1971) V. 67 His Lady a very high-carriaged but comely big woman.

1701 Acct. Life in T. Stanley Hist. Philos. (ed. 3) Introd. sig. c^v He was a Comely Man, and had a Majestick Mien.

1718 J. Gay Let. 9 Aug. (1966) 34 Sarah Drew might be rather called comely than beautiful.

1812 G. Crabbe Tales xix. 347 They..from the virgin-class, Took him a comely and a courteous lass.

1889 J. P. Mahaffy & J. E. Rogers Sketches from Tour Holland & Germany iv. 78 The women comely, but not often handsome.

1911 M. T. Daviess Rose of Old Harpeth vi. 188 The comely mother..administering refreshment in the form of bread and jam.

2001 J. Hamilton-Paterson Loving Monsters (2002) ix. 153 I was fair-haired and quite comely and more than young enough to be part of their set.

†c. Applied in a respectful or honorific manner when speaking of or to a king, queen, or Christ. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous forms of address or title > [adjective]

goodeOE

liefc897

sweeta1225

beauc1300

gentlec1330

comelya1375

faira1375

reverentc1410

reverend1422

virtuous?1473

singular1485

lucky1568

respectable1749

a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 2631 (MED) His comeliche quene..was a menskful lady.

a1400 (c1300) Northern Homily: Widow's Candle (Coll. Phys.) in Middle Eng. Dict. at Comli This leuedy yed with serge in hande, And ofered first als comly quene.

a1425 (?c1350) Ywain & Gawain (1964) l. 2874 Cumly Crist þat heried hell.

c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 354 ‘Ȝa,’ quod he, ‘comly qwene.’

a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. iii. 28 Comly kyng of mankyn.

a1513 H. Bradshaw Lyfe St. Radegunde (c1525) sig. e.ii^v She sayd swete Radegunde, haue pitie on me O comly quene.

a1600 T. Deloney Strange Hist. (1602) ii. sig. A6^v This was most heauie newes, vnto our comly King.

a. Appropriate; decent; proper; conforming to acceptable moral or social standards. Now archaic and rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [adjective] > seemly or proper

seemly?c1225

comelya1350

seemc1400

ablea1500

setting1535

decent1545

civil1582

proper1738

gradely1763

decorous1792

nice1799

correctc1800

proprietous1815

the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > pleasing fitness > [adjective] > seemly or decorous

seemly?c1225

comelya1350

seemc1400

setting1535

comingc1540

decent1545

civil1582

handsome1583

mensefula1598

sprunt1631

semblable1647

proper1738

orthodox1755

decorous1792

comme il faut1818

wise-like1820

a1350 in G. L. Brook Harley Lyrics (1968) 36 Richard, rote of resoun ryht..Cunde comely ase a knyht.

1561 Iniunctions Bishop of Norwich sig. B.ii A comelie and honest pulpet to be set in a comeli place of y^e churche.

1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. lxv. 161 For the comlier and better exercise of our religion.

1611 Bible (King James) Psalms xxxiii. 1 Prayse is comely for the vpright.

1646 F. Hawkins tr. Youths Behaviour (ed. 4) vii. 43 It is not comly to sup ones broth at Table, it ought to bee eaten with a spoone.

a1677 I. Barrow Of Love of God (1680) 312 Nothing is..more comely and agreeable to humane nature then peaceable living.

1725 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey I. iii. 499 Marching home In comely order.

a1728 J. Burroughs Serm. Several Occasions (1733) ii. 48 Our natures are partly angelical and partly brutal. Which is it most comely to give the preference unto?

1822 J. Galt Sir Andrew Wylie III. xx. 12 Her son Willy, that's so douce and comely in the kirk..is gaun intill Glasgow to learn to be a minister.

1867 J. Ingelow Dominion 29 It is a comely fashion to be glad—Joy is the grace we say to God.

1901 G. D. Boardman Church ii. v. 87 It is comely to wash our hands before eating.

2005 B. R. Vantrease Illuminator iv. 41 Please, kind sirs, no more talk of burnings. It is not comely conversation at table.

†b. Suitable for a particular purpose. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adjective] > fitting or proper

methelyeOE

ylikeeOE

fairOE

i-meteOE

rightOE

becomelyc1175

proper?c1225

featc1325

conablea1340

rightful1340

worthyc1350

pursuanda1375

covenable1382

dignec1385

convenablec1386

thriftyc1386

sittingc1390

comenablea1400

gainlya1400

meeta1400

wortha1400

convenientc1400

meetlya1425

suinga1425

fitc1440

tallc1440

worthyc1450

good1477

dueful?a1527

beseeminga1530

fitting1535

straighta1538

decent1539

answerable1542

becoming1565

condecent1575

becomed1599

respective1605

befittinga1612

comely1617

decorous1664

shape-like1672

beseemly1737

farrantly?1748

fitly1840

in order1850

1617 J. Woodall Surgions Mate 2 A fine launcet is most comely, and much fitter then a larger incision knife.

†3. Pleasing; gratifying; agreeable to the senses or feelings. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > [adjective]

goodOE

winlyOE

snella1000

winc1275

boonc1325

cleana1375

tidya1375

positivea1398

comelyc1400

kindc1400

kindly?a1425

well-formeda1425

trim?a1513

wally?a1513

bonnya1525

delicatea1533

goodlike1562

sappy1563

bein1567

rum1567

benedict1576

warrantable1581

true (also good, sure) as touch1590

goodlisomea1603

respectable1603

clever1738

amusing1753

plummy1787

bone1793

brickish1843

mooi1850

ryebuck1859

spandy1868

greatisha1871

healthy1878

popular1884

beefy1903

onkus1910

quies1919

cushty1929

high-powered1969

not shabby1975

the mind > emotion > pleasure > quality of being pleasant or pleasurable > [adjective]

winsomea900

sweetc900

likingeOE

i-quemec950

lieflyOE

winlyOE

hereOE

thankfulc1000

merryOE

queemc1175

beina1200

willea1200

leesomec1200

savouryc1225

estea1250

i-wilc1275

winc1275

welcomea1300

doucea1350

well-pleasingc1350

acceptablea1382

pleasablea1382

pleasanta1382

pleaseda1382

acceptedc1384

amiablec1384

well-likinga1387

queemfulc1390

flattering1393

pleasinga1398

well-queeminga1400

comelyc1400

farrandc1400

greable1401

goodlyc1405

amicable?a1425

placablec1429

amene1433

winful1438

listyc1440

dulcet1445

agreeablec1450

favourousc1485

sweetly?a1500

pleasureful?c1502

dulcea1513

grate1523

prettya1529

plausible1541

jolly1549

dulcoratec1550

toothsome1551

pleasurable1557

tickling1558

suavec1560

amenous1567

odoriferous?1575

perfumed1580

glada1586

tickle1593

pleasurous1595

favoursome1601

dulcean1606

gratifying1611

Hyblaean1614

gratulatea1616

arrident1616

solacefula1618

pleasantable1619

placid1628

contentsome1632

sapid1640

canny1643

gustful1647

peramene1657

pergrateful1657

tastefula1659

complacent1660

placentiousa1661

gratifactorya1665

bland1667

suavious1669

palatable1683

placent1683

complaisant1710

nice1747

tasty1796

sweetsome1799

titbit1820

connate1836

cunning1843

mooi1850

gemütlich1852

sympathique1859

congenial1878

sympathetic1900

sipid1908

onkus1910

sympathisch1911

the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > aesthetic quality or good taste > [adjective] > pleasing to the aesthetic sense

gentc1300

sweet?a1366

comelyc1400

pretty1442

poetical1447

beautifula1586

concinnous1662

poetic1731

c1400 (?a1300) Kyng Alisaunder (Laud) (1952) 6045 Two quenes of Amazoyne, Wiþ tuenty þousande..Faire maydens..Þat weren wiȝth in bataile, And comelich [a1425 Linc. Inn comly] in bed, saunz faile.

c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xv. l. 444 (MED) Cloth þat cometh fro þe weuyng is nouȝt comly to were, Tyl it is fulled.

1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. H1^v Their haire would..ouergrowe their faces, rather like monsters, than comlie sober christians.

1612 W. Symonds Proc. Eng. Colonie Virginia 29 in J. Smith Map of Virginia This king was the comliest proper civill Salvage wee incountred.

1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 1268 Oh how comely it is and how reviving To the Spirits of just men long opprest!

1812 L. Hunt in Examiner 7 Dec. 771/1 Comely sentences and portly veracities.

1883 R. L. Stevenson Silverado Squatters ii. iii. 93 They said many kind and comely things about the people.

1910 M. P. Willcocks Way Up viii. 233 The hansom-bells, to many ears far comelier music than all the sheep bells of Arcady.

†B. n.

1. That which conforms to accepted moral or social standards. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

c1225 (?c1200) Hali Meiðhad (Bodl.) (1940) 359 Tweire schad, as mon haueð ba of god & of vuel, of kumelich & vnkumelich.

2. A beautiful, graceful, or beloved woman. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > [noun] > beautiful thing or person > beautiful person > beautiful woman

clearc1330

comelya1375

wlonk?a1400

brightc1400

gayc1400

sheenc1400

violet1412

berylc1440

blossomc1440

bonnya1529

pertc1540

bonylasse1546

Venus?1572

spark1575

bellibone1579

bonnibel1579

nymph1584

cheruba1616

lily1622

bellea1640

fine1639

toast1700

houri1745

belle dame1768

peri1813

beauty queen1835

stallion1970

a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 873 (MED) Kurteyslyche kneling þat komli he grett.

c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 674 Al þat seȝ þat semly syked in hert..Carande for þat comly.

c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 10^v Iason..þat comly [sc. Medea] can clip in his close armes.

Compounds

Complementary.

comely-looked adj. rare (now archaic)

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective] > specifically of persons

faireOE

seemlya1225

featous1340

jolly?a1366

tretis?a1366

comelya1375

covenablea1375

well-beseenc1374

favourablea1398

farrandc1400

personable?1435

well-favoureda1438

covenantc1440

likelyc1450

trety?c1450

tret1488

decore?a1513

jimp?a1513

wally?a1513

smotter?1520

snout-fair1530

well-looking1613

comely-looking1648

personal1658

comely-looked1664

winsome1677

tidy1714

good-looking1715

well to be seen1809

1664 S. Pepys Diary 21 Jan. (1971) V. 23 A comely-looked man he was.

2011 G. Bagwell Darling Strumpet vii. 87 They're comely-looked wenches, both of them.

comely-looking adj.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective] > specifically of persons

faireOE

seemlya1225

featous1340

jolly?a1366

tretis?a1366

comelya1375

covenablea1375

well-beseenc1374

favourablea1398

farrandc1400

personable?1435

well-favoureda1438

covenantc1440

likelyc1450

trety?c1450

tret1488

decore?a1513

jimp?a1513

wally?a1513

smotter?1520

snout-fair1530

well-looking1613

comely-looking1648

personal1658

comely-looked1664

winsome1677

tidy1714

good-looking1715

well to be seen1809

1648 J. Beaumont Psyche ii. cxlix. 24/1 A comely looking glasse.

1841 G. Borrow tr. J. de Quiñones in Zincali I. i. x. 167 One [woman] was more comely looking than the other.

2008 J. Vernon Lucky Billy xiv. 222 He'd expected Ben Hur..and got this comely-looking creature instead.

Derivatives

† comelywise adv. Obsolete

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [adverb] > with propriety

comelyOE

seemlyc1320

menskfullya1375

tallya1375

comelilyc1400

comelywise1440

decently1552

decent1716

decorously1808

properly1811

wise-like1822

the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > pleasing fitness > [adverb] > in seemly or decorous manner

comelyOE

menskful?c1225

seemlyc1320

menskfullya1375

tallya1375

comelilyc1400

comelywise1440

handsomely1525

decently1552

civilly1593

decent1716

comme il faut1756

decorously1808

wise-like1822

spiffily1977

Promptorium Parvulorum (Harl. 221) 108 Comly, or cumlywyse, decenter.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2017; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	comely
释义	comelyadj.n. Brit. /ˈkʌmli/, U.S. /ˈkəmli/ Forms: Old English cymlic, Middle English comelich, Middle English comeliche, Middle English comelokur (comparative), Middle English comelyche, Middle English comle, Middle English comlich, Middle English comliche, Middle English comloker (comparative), Middle English comlokest (superlative), Middle English comlych, Middle English comlyche, Middle English commly (in a late copy), Middle English coumly (in a late copy), Middle English cumelich, Middle English cumli, Middle English cumlic, Middle English cumlich (in a late copy), Middle English cumliche, Middle English komli, Middle English kumelich, Middle English–1500s commely, Middle English–1500s cumly, Middle English–1600s comelye, Middle English–1600s comli, Middle English–1600s comly, Middle English– comely, 1500s combly, 1500s comeli, 1500s commelie, 1500s cumelie, 1500s cumlie, 1500s–1600s comelie; English regional 1800s cumbly (northern), 1800s cumley (Northumberland); also Scottish pre-1700 comiley, pre-1700 comle, pre-1700 comlie, pre-1700 cumblie, pre-1700 cumbly, pre-1700 cumlie, pre-1700 cumly, pre-1700 cumlye, pre-1700 1800s comelie. Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: English cȳme , -ly suffix¹. Etymology: < Old English cȳme fine, handsome, comely (see below) + -ly suffix¹, in later use remodelled after come v. (see note).Further etymology. Old English cȳme is cognate with North Frisian (Mainland) käim , keem weak, delicate, fussy, beautiful, East Frisian (Wangeroog) keim pure, Dutch (regional: Gelderland) kuim weak, Middle Low German kǖme weak, decrepit, Middle High German kūm , kūme thin, weak, frail, fragile (early modern German küm frail, German (regional) chum , küm , küme , käume sickly, weak, infirm, fussy, moaning). The same Germanic base is reflected by the verbs Old Frisian kēma to lament, complain, Middle Dutch cūmen to moan, lament (Dutch (regional) kuimen ), Old Saxon kūmian to lament, Old High German kūmen (also kūmōn ) to moan, lament, complain (Middle High German kūmen to lament, mourn, German (regional) käumen to moan, whine, and also by a number of other derivative formations, including: Old High German kūmīg weak, tired, frail, sick (German (regional) chumig , kümig , käumig sickly, weak, infirm, fussy, moaning), Middle Low German kūme (adverb) with difficulty, hardly, Old High German kūmo (adverb) with difficulty (Middle High German kūme , kūm with difficulty, hardly, German kaum hardly). See also kimet adj. and forms discussed at that entry. This Germanic base apparently shows an extended form (m -extension) of the Indo-European base of (with different ablaut grades): Old English cīegan to call, to summon, to invoke, to cry, Old High German (prefixed) gikewen to call, Sanskrit -gū (in joguve calls), ancient Greek γοᾶν (uncontracted γοάειν ) to cry, lament, and also (with different root extension) Old Church Slavonic govorŭ noise, shout, clamour. Semantic development. If the hypothesis about its further etymology is correct, the original sense of the base in Germanic was perhaps ‘miserable, wretched’ (from earlier ‘lamenting’). If so, the main lines of semantic development from this were probably to ‘weak, frail, sickly’, whence ‘feeble-minded, stupid, foolish’ (compare kimet adj.), and ‘thin, delicate, fine’ (while the adverbs Middle Low German kūme and Old High German kūmo imply a different development to ‘hard, difficult’). From these, ‘thin, delicate, fine’ was probably the main line of development to the meanings ‘fine, handsome, comely’ of Old English cȳme . Old English evidence. In Old English the adjective cȳme and its derivatives are typically used with positive connotation (although the precise shade of meaning can sometimes be difficult to determine); compare also the negative form uncȳme mean, paltry, poor. An apparent exception is cymnis fastidiousness, daintiness (apparently < cȳme + -ness suffix) in an isolated glossarial attestation rendering Latin fastidium, odium , although this may perhaps originate in an error for cīsness fastidiousness, squeamishness, aversion (compare chis adj.). Association with come v. Following the shortening of the stem vowel before the consonant cluster -ml- (probably already in Old English), the word was reinterpreted as a derivative of come v., perhaps due to the existence of derivatives of that verb showing the mutated vowel (see come n.¹) as well as the existence of mutated forms of the present stem (see discussion at come v.). In Middle English, the stem vowel was levelled to that of come v., as it was in come n.¹ The development of sense A. 2 is apparently due to the influence of come v.: compare become v. III. A. adj. 1. a. Of an object, item of clothing, building, etc.: elegant, beautiful, or delicate in appearance, form, or composition. Now archaic.In later use passing into sense A. 2a.In quot. OE¹ describing an iceberg. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective] faireOE comelyOE winlyOE goodlyOE hendya1250 hendc1275 quaintc1300 seemlyc1305 tidya1325 avenant1340 honestc1384 sightya1387 properc1390 well beseena1393 queema1400 speciousa1400 featousc1400 parisantc1400 rekenc1400 well-favoureda1438 wellc1450 spectable?a1475 delicatec1480 jollya1500 bonny?a1513 snog1513 viewlyc1536 goodlikec1550 sightly1555 sightful1565 beholdinga1586 eyesome?1587 decent1600 vage1604 prospicuous1605 eyely1614 fashionable1630 well-looking1638 softa1643 fineish1647 well-looked1660 of a good (also ugly, etc.) look1700 likely-looked1709 sonsy1720 smiling1725 aspectable1731 smirkya1758 likely-looking1771 respectable1776 magnificent-looking1790 producible1792 presentable1800 good-looking1804 nice-looking1807 bonnyish1855 spick1882 eyeable1887 aegyo2007 OE Riddle 33 2 Wiht cwom æfter wege wrætlicu liþan, cymlic from ceole cleopode to londe, hlinsade hlude. OE Paris Psalter (1932) cxxi. 3 Hierusalem, geara ðu wære swa swa cymlic ceaster getimbred. a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 2056 (MED) Noþing he no fond wiþ-inne hire comly cortynes, but hire cloþes warme. c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 546 (MED) In his comlych corte þat Kyng is of blysse. c1475 (c1399) Mum & Sothsegger (Cambr. Ll.4.14) (1936) iii. l. 174 In comliche cloþinge as his statt axith. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Tim. ii. B That they araye them selues in comly apparell. 1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 364 Banners, Penons, Standards of silke, so sumptuous and comely that it was a maruell to beholde. 1630 tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World (rev. ed.) ii. 133 Broader streets, comelier monuments, and handsomer buildings. 1645 J. Milton Il Penseroso in Poems 42 Civil-suited Morn..Not trickt and frounc't..But Cherchef't in a comly Cloud. 1703 R. Neve City & Countrey Purchaser 87 Sometimes little sneaking ill-contrived Stair-cases are built in a good comely large Structure. 1720 J. Strype Stow's Surv. of London (rev. ed.) I. i. xxix. 249/2 In the Castle Yard was pight a comely Quintane. 1839 Southern Lit. Messenger July 449/2 He had spread out a comely pallet of bear and buffalo skins. 1857 N. Hawthorne Jrnl. 27 May in Eng. Notebks. (1997) II. vi. 240 Surrounded by quiet, ancient and comely habitations. 1909 A. Bennett Lit. Taste 87 Every Englishman..ought to own a comprehensive and inclusive library of English literature, in comely and adequate editions. 2005 Time Out N.Y. 20 Oct. 51/1 Comely silver and brown cotton-percale sheet sets..will spur you into a hospital-corners habit. b. Of a person: attractive, beautiful, handsome; graceful, elegant. In later use also: pleasant in appearance but not strikingly beautiful. Now literary. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective] > specifically of persons faireOE seemlya1225 featous1340 jolly?a1366 tretis?a1366 comelya1375 covenablea1375 well-beseenc1374 favourablea1398 farrandc1400 personable?1435 well-favoureda1438 covenantc1440 likelyc1450 trety?c1450 tret1488 decore?a1513 jimp?a1513 wally?a1513 smotter?1520 snout-fair1530 well-looking1613 comely-looking1648 personal1658 comely-looked1664 winsome1677 tidy1714 good-looking1715 well to be seen1809 a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 2704 (MED) Þat corteys quen & hire comliche douȝter. c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 53 He þe comlokest kyng þat þe court haldes. ?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 533 (MED) He was so comely and so fayre. ?c1500 Mary Magdalene (Digby) l. 67 No comlyar creatur of goddes creacyon. 1595 F. Sabie Fissher-mans Tale sig. C3 I sawe one Lasse farre comelier than the rest, A peerlesse peece, an heart-delighting gyrle. ?c1615 Chron. Kings of Scotl. (1830) 101 Ane cumlie ȝowth of braw statour. 1664 S. Pepys Diary 28 Feb. (1971) V. 67 His Lady a very high-carriaged but comely big woman. 1701 Acct. Life in T. Stanley Hist. Philos. (ed. 3) Introd. sig. c^v He was a Comely Man, and had a Majestick Mien. 1718 J. Gay Let. 9 Aug. (1966) 34 Sarah Drew might be rather called comely than beautiful. 1812 G. Crabbe Tales xix. 347 They..from the virgin-class, Took him a comely and a courteous lass. 1889 J. P. Mahaffy & J. E. Rogers Sketches from Tour Holland & Germany iv. 78 The women comely, but not often handsome. 1911 M. T. Daviess Rose of Old Harpeth vi. 188 The comely mother..administering refreshment in the form of bread and jam. 2001 J. Hamilton-Paterson Loving Monsters (2002) ix. 153 I was fair-haired and quite comely and more than young enough to be part of their set. †c. Applied in a respectful or honorific manner when speaking of or to a king, queen, or Christ. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous forms of address or title > [adjective] goodeOE liefc897 sweeta1225 beauc1300 gentlec1330 comelya1375 faira1375 reverentc1410 reverend1422 virtuous?1473 singular1485 lucky1568 respectable1749 a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 2631 (MED) His comeliche quene..was a menskful lady. a1400 (c1300) Northern Homily: Widow's Candle (Coll. Phys.) in Middle Eng. Dict. at Comli This leuedy yed with serge in hande, And ofered first als comly quene. a1425 (?c1350) Ywain & Gawain (1964) l. 2874 Cumly Crist þat heried hell. c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 354 ‘Ȝa,’ quod he, ‘comly qwene.’ a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. iii. 28 Comly kyng of mankyn. a1513 H. Bradshaw Lyfe St. Radegunde (c1525) sig. e.ii^v She sayd swete Radegunde, haue pitie on me O comly quene. a1600 T. Deloney Strange Hist. (1602) ii. sig. A6^v This was most heauie newes, vnto our comly King. 2. a. Appropriate; decent; proper; conforming to acceptable moral or social standards. Now archaic and rare. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [adjective] > seemly or proper seemly?c1225 comelya1350 seemc1400 ablea1500 setting1535 decent1545 civil1582 proper1738 gradely1763 decorous1792 nice1799 correctc1800 proprietous1815 the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > pleasing fitness > [adjective] > seemly or decorous seemly?c1225 comelya1350 seemc1400 setting1535 comingc1540 decent1545 civil1582 handsome1583 mensefula1598 sprunt1631 semblable1647 proper1738 orthodox1755 decorous1792 comme il faut1818 wise-like1820 a1350 in G. L. Brook Harley Lyrics (1968) 36 Richard, rote of resoun ryht..Cunde comely ase a knyht. 1561 Iniunctions Bishop of Norwich sig. B.ii A comelie and honest pulpet to be set in a comeli place of y^e churche. 1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. lxv. 161 For the comlier and better exercise of our religion. 1611 Bible (King James) Psalms xxxiii. 1 Prayse is comely for the vpright. View more context for this quotation 1646 F. Hawkins tr. Youths Behaviour (ed. 4) vii. 43 It is not comly to sup ones broth at Table, it ought to bee eaten with a spoone. a1677 I. Barrow Of Love of God (1680) 312 Nothing is..more comely and agreeable to humane nature then peaceable living. 1725 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey I. iii. 499 Marching home In comely order. a1728 J. Burroughs Serm. Several Occasions (1733) ii. 48 Our natures are partly angelical and partly brutal. Which is it most comely to give the preference unto? 1822 J. Galt Sir Andrew Wylie III. xx. 12 Her son Willy, that's so douce and comely in the kirk..is gaun intill Glasgow to learn to be a minister. 1867 J. Ingelow Dominion 29 It is a comely fashion to be glad—Joy is the grace we say to God. 1901 G. D. Boardman Church ii. v. 87 It is comely to wash our hands before eating. 2005 B. R. Vantrease Illuminator iv. 41 Please, kind sirs, no more talk of burnings. It is not comely conversation at table. †b. Suitable for a particular purpose. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adjective] > fitting or proper methelyeOE ylikeeOE fairOE i-meteOE rightOE becomelyc1175 proper?c1225 featc1325 conablea1340 rightful1340 worthyc1350 pursuanda1375 covenable1382 dignec1385 convenablec1386 thriftyc1386 sittingc1390 comenablea1400 gainlya1400 meeta1400 wortha1400 convenientc1400 meetlya1425 suinga1425 fitc1440 tallc1440 worthyc1450 good1477 dueful?a1527 beseeminga1530 fitting1535 straighta1538 decent1539 answerable1542 becoming1565 condecent1575 becomed1599 respective1605 befittinga1612 comely1617 decorous1664 shape-like1672 beseemly1737 farrantly?1748 fitly1840 in order1850 1617 J. Woodall Surgions Mate 2 A fine launcet is most comely, and much fitter then a larger incision knife. †3. Pleasing; gratifying; agreeable to the senses or feelings. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > [adjective] goodOE winlyOE snella1000 winc1275 boonc1325 cleana1375 tidya1375 positivea1398 comelyc1400 kindc1400 kindly?a1425 well-formeda1425 trim?a1513 wally?a1513 bonnya1525 delicatea1533 goodlike1562 sappy1563 bein1567 rum1567 benedict1576 warrantable1581 true (also good, sure) as touch1590 goodlisomea1603 respectable1603 clever1738 amusing1753 plummy1787 bone1793 brickish1843 mooi1850 ryebuck1859 spandy1868 greatisha1871 healthy1878 popular1884 beefy1903 onkus1910 quies1919 cushty1929 high-powered1969 not shabby1975 the mind > emotion > pleasure > quality of being pleasant or pleasurable > [adjective] winsomea900 sweetc900 likingeOE i-quemec950 lieflyOE winlyOE hereOE thankfulc1000 merryOE queemc1175 beina1200 willea1200 leesomec1200 savouryc1225 estea1250 i-wilc1275 winc1275 welcomea1300 doucea1350 well-pleasingc1350 acceptablea1382 pleasablea1382 pleasanta1382 pleaseda1382 acceptedc1384 amiablec1384 well-likinga1387 queemfulc1390 flattering1393 pleasinga1398 well-queeminga1400 comelyc1400 farrandc1400 greable1401 goodlyc1405 amicable?a1425 placablec1429 amene1433 winful1438 listyc1440 dulcet1445 agreeablec1450 favourousc1485 sweetly?a1500 pleasureful?c1502 dulcea1513 grate1523 prettya1529 plausible1541 jolly1549 dulcoratec1550 toothsome1551 pleasurable1557 tickling1558 suavec1560 amenous1567 odoriferous?1575 perfumed1580 glada1586 tickle1593 pleasurous1595 favoursome1601 dulcean1606 gratifying1611 Hyblaean1614 gratulatea1616 arrident1616 solacefula1618 pleasantable1619 placid1628 contentsome1632 sapid1640 canny1643 gustful1647 peramene1657 pergrateful1657 tastefula1659 complacent1660 placentiousa1661 gratifactorya1665 bland1667 suavious1669 palatable1683 placent1683 complaisant1710 nice1747 tasty1796 sweetsome1799 titbit1820 connate1836 cunning1843 mooi1850 gemütlich1852 sympathique1859 congenial1878 sympathetic1900 sipid1908 onkus1910 sympathisch1911 the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > aesthetic quality or good taste > [adjective] > pleasing to the aesthetic sense gentc1300 sweet?a1366 comelyc1400 pretty1442 poetical1447 beautifula1586 concinnous1662 poetic1731 c1400 (?a1300) Kyng Alisaunder (Laud) (1952) 6045 Two quenes of Amazoyne, Wiþ tuenty þousande..Faire maydens..Þat weren wiȝth in bataile, And comelich [a1425 Linc. Inn comly] in bed, saunz faile. c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xv. l. 444 (MED) Cloth þat cometh fro þe weuyng is nouȝt comly to were, Tyl it is fulled. 1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. H1^v Their haire would..ouergrowe their faces, rather like monsters, than comlie sober christians. 1612 W. Symonds Proc. Eng. Colonie Virginia 29 in J. Smith Map of Virginia This king was the comliest proper civill Salvage wee incountred. 1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 1268 Oh how comely it is and how reviving To the Spirits of just men long opprest! View more context for this quotation 1812 L. Hunt in Examiner 7 Dec. 771/1 Comely sentences and portly veracities. 1883 R. L. Stevenson Silverado Squatters ii. iii. 93 They said many kind and comely things about the people. 1910 M. P. Willcocks Way Up viii. 233 The hansom-bells, to many ears far comelier music than all the sheep bells of Arcady. †B. n. 1. That which conforms to accepted moral or social standards. Obsolete. ΚΠ c1225 (?c1200) Hali Meiðhad (Bodl.) (1940) 359 Tweire schad, as mon haueð ba of god & of vuel, of kumelich & vnkumelich. 2. A beautiful, graceful, or beloved woman. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > [noun] > beautiful thing or person > beautiful person > beautiful woman clearc1330 comelya1375 wlonk?a1400 brightc1400 gayc1400 sheenc1400 violet1412 berylc1440 blossomc1440 bonnya1529 pertc1540 bonylasse1546 Venus?1572 spark1575 bellibone1579 bonnibel1579 nymph1584 cheruba1616 lily1622 bellea1640 fine1639 toast1700 houri1745 belle dame1768 peri1813 beauty queen1835 stallion1970 a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 873 (MED) Kurteyslyche kneling þat komli he grett. c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 674 Al þat seȝ þat semly syked in hert..Carande for þat comly. c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 10^v Iason..þat comly [sc. Medea] can clip in his close armes. Compounds Complementary. comely-looked adj. rare (now archaic) ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective] > specifically of persons faireOE seemlya1225 featous1340 jolly?a1366 tretis?a1366 comelya1375 covenablea1375 well-beseenc1374 favourablea1398 farrandc1400 personable?1435 well-favoureda1438 covenantc1440 likelyc1450 trety?c1450 tret1488 decore?a1513 jimp?a1513 wally?a1513 smotter?1520 snout-fair1530 well-looking1613 comely-looking1648 personal1658 comely-looked1664 winsome1677 tidy1714 good-looking1715 well to be seen1809 1664 S. Pepys Diary 21 Jan. (1971) V. 23 A comely-looked man he was. 2011 G. Bagwell Darling Strumpet vii. 87 They're comely-looked wenches, both of them. comely-looking adj. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective] > specifically of persons faireOE seemlya1225 featous1340 jolly?a1366 tretis?a1366 comelya1375 covenablea1375 well-beseenc1374 favourablea1398 farrandc1400 personable?1435 well-favoureda1438 covenantc1440 likelyc1450 trety?c1450 tret1488 decore?a1513 jimp?a1513 wally?a1513 smotter?1520 snout-fair1530 well-looking1613 comely-looking1648 personal1658 comely-looked1664 winsome1677 tidy1714 good-looking1715 well to be seen1809 1648 J. Beaumont Psyche ii. cxlix. 24/1 A comely looking glasse. 1841 G. Borrow tr. J. de Quiñones in Zincali I. i. x. 167 One [woman] was more comely looking than the other. 2008 J. Vernon Lucky Billy xiv. 222 He'd expected Ben Hur..and got this comely-looking creature instead. Derivatives † comelywise adv. Obsolete ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [adverb] > with propriety comelyOE seemlyc1320 menskfullya1375 tallya1375 comelilyc1400 comelywise1440 decently1552 decent1716 decorously1808 properly1811 wise-like1822 the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > pleasing fitness > [adverb] > in seemly or decorous manner comelyOE menskful?c1225 seemlyc1320 menskfullya1375 tallya1375 comelilyc1400 comelywise1440 handsomely1525 decently1552 civilly1593 decent1716 comme il faut1756 decorously1808 wise-like1822 spiffily1977 Promptorium Parvulorum (Harl. 221) 108 Comly, or cumlywyse, decenter. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2017; most recently modified version published online March 2022). † comelyv. Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: comely adj. Etymology: < comely adj. Obsolete. rare. transitive. To adorn; to do credit to. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautify [verb (transitive)] > be becoming to or set off becomec1314 commend1535 advancea1555 comely1573 outseta1578 countenance?1578 to set out1586 to stick off1613 to set offa1616 suit1655 to put off1700 advantage1748 approve1849 flatter1904 1573 T. Tusser Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry (new ed.) f. 19^v One diligent seruiture..more comelyth thy table, then other some eight, That stand for to listen, or gasing about. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2017; most recently modified version published online June 2021). comelyadv. Brit. /ˈkʌmli/, U.S. /ˈkəmli/ Forms: Old English cymlice, Middle English comelich, Middle English comeliche, Middle English comli, Middle English comliche, Middle English comlyche, Middle English commli, Middle English cumeliche, Middle English cumli, Middle English cumly, Middle English komly, Middle English–1600s comly, Middle English–1600s 1900s– comely, 1500s combly, 1500s–1600s comelie; also Scottish pre-1700 cumlie, pre-1700 cumly, pre-1700 cwmelie. Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: English cȳme , -ly suffix². Etymology: < Old English cȳme (see comely adj.) + -ly suffix². For a discussion of the semantic and form history, see comely adj. Compare also becomely adv. In a graceful, beautiful, or becoming manner; in an appropriate or proper manner. Now somewhat archaic. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adverb] fairlyOE comelyOE hendly?c1225 goodlyc1275 seemlya1325 sweet1338 quaintly1340 properlyc1390 well?a1400 comelilyc1400 seemlilyc1400 jollilyc1426 formally1548 handsomely1560 sightly1592 handsome1600 winsomely17.. nicely1714 in one's best (also worst) looks1816 presentably1848 the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > [adverb] > and pleasing comelyOE winlyc1000 comelilyc1400 trimly?a1513 trima1547 sweetly1594 cleverly1697 nicely1714 tidy1824 sweet1846 wally1847 the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [adverb] > with propriety comelyOE seemlyc1320 menskfullya1375 tallya1375 comelilyc1400 comelywise1440 decently1552 decent1716 decorously1808 properly1811 wise-like1822 the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > pleasing fitness > [adverb] > in seemly or decorous manner comelyOE menskful?c1225 seemlyc1320 menskfullya1375 tallya1375 comelilyc1400 comelywise1440 handsomely1525 decently1552 civilly1593 decent1716 comme il faut1756 decorously1808 wise-like1822 spiffily1977 OE Beowulf (2008) 38 Ne hyrde ic cymlicor ceol gegyrwan. OE Paris Psalter (1932) xcviii. 7 Hi cymlice cigdon drihten, and he hi gehyrde holde mode. c1225 (?c1200) St. Margaret (Royal) (1934) 45 Feirlec & strencðe beoð his schrudes, ant igurd he is am on, þat ha cumeliche faren ant semliche sitten. a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 2220 (MED) A cite nobul, enclosed comeliche a-boute wiþ fyn castel-werk. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 15209 Quen þis hus was commli dight. a1450 (?c1350) Pride of Life l. 46 in N. Davis Non-Cycle Plays & Fragm. (1970) 91 Lettrit in lor As cumli becomit for a quen. a1500 (?a1400) Sir Torrent of Portyngale (1887) l. 1707 Tho sye they..Men of armes ffaste ride, On coursers comly dight. ?1518 A. Barclay tr. D. Mancinus Myrrour Good Maners sig. Aiv^v Grauyte Whiche to both our states, more comely may agre. 1609 W. Shakespeare Louers Complaint in Sonnets sig. K2^v Comely distant sits he by her side. 1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy ii. ii. ii. 313 Decently and comely attired. 1651 Bp. J. Taylor XXVIII Serm. Ep. Ded. He speaks comely. 1853 A. Nicholson Loose Papers 266 A comely-faced and comely-dressed young woman. 1900 T. Dreiser Sister Carrie xxxviii. 424 A nervous, comely-dressed little girl stepped out. 1966 Jet 28 Apr. 55 Comely attired in peppermint stripes, usherettes gather. 2000 N.Y. Press 5 Apr. i. 1/6 All Glad's pavement princesses dress so comely in the most delicate silks from China. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2017; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < adj.n.OEv.1573adv.OE
随便看	parakeetism parakeets pale crêpe rubber pale fence pale flax pale gate pale into insignificance pale laurel pale mountain polypody pale november moth pale of settlement pale persicaria pale sherry pale smartweed pale tussock pale tussock moth pale- pale-blooded pale-blurred pale-breasted pale-cheeked pale-coloured pale-complexioned pale-dead pale-enclosed

comelyadj.n.

Compounds

Derivatives

† comelyv.

comelyadv.