† mensklyadv.
Obsolete.
Courteously, kindly; reverently; honourably, with dignity.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > [adverb]
welleOE
fairOE
methelyOE
menskly?c1225
hendilyc1275
hendlyc1275
courteouslyc1290
bonairc1330
bonairly1340
goodly1372
debonairlya1375
henda1375
kindlya1375
fairlyc1480
humanelya1500
handsomely1542
civilly1552
gallantly1611
civil1642
politely1748
nicely1864
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > good repute > reputability or honourableness > [adverb]
worthlyeOE
menskful?c1225
menskly?c1225
dignelyc1315
honestly1340
menskfullya1375
worshipfullya1375
worthilyc1384
creditably1648
reputablya1689
respectably1770
smirchless1848
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 235 Ȝef þu hatest þi sunne. hwi spekest þu menskeliche þrof.
a1250 Wohunge ure Lauerd in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 269 Fredom..leuer is menskli to ȝiuen þen cwedli to wið halde.
a1400 (c1300) Northern Homily: Serm. on Gospels (Coll. Phys.) in Middle Eng. Dict. at Menskli Bathe..sal be broht Til heuenes blis ful menskelie.
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) 1312 (MED) Þenne he meued to his mete, þat menskly hym keped.
a1475 Bk. Curtasye (Sloane 1986) l. 291 in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 307 Drynk menskely and gyf agayne.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xix. 86 He broucht him menskly till erding.
c1600 (c1350) Alisaunder (Greaves) (1929) 173 The marques of Malasor menskliche hee aught.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2001; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adv.?c1225