alertlyadv.
/əˈləːtli/, U.S. /əˈlərtli/ In an alert manner or state; watchfully; briskly, actively.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adverb] > briskly or actively
quiverlyOE
smartc1300
smartlyc1300
spacklya1350
merrilyc1390
sprackly1393
livelyc1425
activelya1500
busilya1513
allegrement1608
alacriously1609
nippily1650
briskly1665
alertly1725
up and doing1817
pert1859
brash1884
stirringly1889
bobbishly1936
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > notice, observation > [adverb] > alertly
alertly1815
open-eyedly1894
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > vigilance > [adverb]
vigilantly1531
watchfully1538
watchingly1552
wakefullya1586
guardfully?1611
unwinkingly1849
a-watch1856
alertly1865
1725 J. Glanvill tr. Silius Italicus in Poems 285 Nearer Virile her Visage, and her Gate; Alertly modest; of erected Height.
1787 M. Delany Autobiogr. & Corr. (1862) 2nd Ser. III. 454 She is as upright, and walks as alertly, as when you saw her.
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering II. 303 Those eyes..were now sharply and alertly darting their glances through shuttles, and trunks.
1865 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia VI. xx. ix. 232 Henri had to..stand alertly on his guard.
1913 St. Nicholas Nov. 37/2 The nimble defensive end..had lain back alertly awaiting such an outcome to the manœuver.
1933 W. de la Mare Fleeting & Other Poems 135 Stepping alertly down the stair.
1996 N. O'Faolain Are You Somebody? (1998) xvii. 207 The cat did nothing but peer in, alertly.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2012; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adv.1725