idlyadv.
/ˈʌɪdli/, U.S. /ˈaɪdli/ 1. † b. Incoherently (from affection of the brain), deliriously. Obsolete.
a. Vainly, in vain; uselessly; frivolously, carelessly, ineffectively (cf. idle adj. 2, 3).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > uselessness, vanity, or futility > [adverb]
idlyc825
vainly1382
voidly1402
waste1418
meanly?c1430
toomly1606
impertinently1631
insignificantly1651
objectlessly1860
futilely1881
c825 Vesp. Psalter lxxxviii. 48 [lxxxix. 47] Nales soðlice idellice [L. vane] ðu gesettes bearn monna.
c1380 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. II. 341 Þanne Crist hadde died for nouȝt and ideliche, wiþouten cause.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Deut. v. 11 Thow shalt not mystaak the name of the Lord thi God idillich.
1565 J. Jewel Def. Apol. Churche Eng. (1611) 262 If ye list to cauill..and..idlely to play with the words and phrases of the ancient Fathers.
1625 J. Hart Anat. Urines ii. xi. 122 [It] is not a thing so slightly to be passed ouer, as many may idlely imagine.
1700 J. Astry tr. D. de Saavedra Fajardo Royal Politician II. 89 When a Prince idlely squanders away his subjects fortunes.
1764 O. Goldsmith Traveller 14 Thus idly busy rolls their world away.
1807 G. Chalmers Caledonia I. i. iv. 121 Stukeley idly placed Colania, at Colechester, or Peebles.
1842 E. B. Barrett Some Acct. Greek Christian Poets in Athenæum 12 Mar. 231/1 Our heart is stirred, and not ‘idly’.
1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems v. 11 Then once heedfully counted all the thousands, We'll uncount them as idly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > mental health > mental illness > degree or type of mental illness > [adverb] > delirium or raving
idly1565
ravinglya1586
deliriously1698
1565–73 T. Cooper Thesaurus Aliena loqui,..to speake idiely in sickenesse.
1601 J. Marston et al. Iacke Drums Entertainm. iii. sig. E2v My brother will not liue long, he talkes Idlely alreadie.
1632 tr. G. Bruele Praxis Medicinæ 399 They which talk idlely with amazednes..for the most part die.
2. In an idle or lazy way; without working; inactively, indolently (cf. idle adj. 4 – 6).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > idleness, lack of occupation or activity > [adverb]
idly1487
toomlyc1540
inertiously1611
otiosely1886
the world > action or operation > inaction > disinclination to act or listlessness > sloth or laziness > [adverb]
slewfully1340
untyȝtelc1400
slothlya1425
nicely1440
idly1487
sleuthfully1488
slothfully?1529
luskishly1530
litherly1550
lazily1587
indolently1707
loungingly1799
truantly1822
loafingly1860
lotophagously1882
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) iv. 411 Othir syndry ȝeid thame by, As thai war masteris, ydilly.
1528 W. Tyndale Obed. Christen Man f. cixv To get the in to a denne and lyve ydely profitable to no man.
1547 Act 1 Edw. VI c. 3 §10 Going loitering idlely about.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 309 They..live idly upon almes.
1651 H. Isaackson in T. Fuller Abel Redevivus sig. *2v He lived not idlely.
1736 B. Franklin Nec. Hints in Wks. (1793) II. 60 He that idly loses five shillings worth of time, loses five shillings.
1808 W. Scott Marmion vi. xx. 346 And why stands Scotland idly now?
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People iii. §5. 139 Sheriffs had stood idly by while the violence was done.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.c825