sadlyadv.
/ˈsadli/, U.S. /ˈsædli/ I. Steadily, seriously; fully, in a satisfied manner.† 1. Steadfastly, firmly, constantly. Obsolete.† 2. Resolutely; with sustained vigour; hardily. Obsolete.† 4. Solidly, fully, deeply; completely, to the utmost. Obsolete.† 5. Firmly, tightly, closely. Obsolete.† 6. Heavily, forcefully. Obsolete.† 7. Certainly, irrefutably; in a manner not open to dispute. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > constancy or steadfastness > [adverb]
anredlyOE
fastlyOE
steadfastly?c1225
stifflyc1290
stably1297
steadfasta1300
stoutly1303
steevely1340
sadlya1375
sturdilyc1374
firm1377
surelyc1380
like a flint1382
tough1398
firmlyc1425
unmovablyc1425
but variancec1430
sad?c1430
immovably1435
toughlyc1450
affirmlya1513
wishly1530
constantly1534
steadily1540
fall back (also flat), fall edge?1553
staidly1571
fixedly1605
indeclinably1624
undeclinably1662
unfalteringly1665
unswervingly1805
unwaveringly1830
indomitably1837
rockily1846
unbendingly1847
indivertibly1853
unshakeablya1864
undyingly1881
unshakenly1882
adamantly1897
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) 762 (MED) He set his siȝt sadli to þat windowe euene, boute flecchinge or feyntise from morwe til eue.
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Parson's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) §49 Fro þt tyme þt he loueth sadly oure lord Ih[es]u crist [etc.].
?c1430 J. Wyclif Eng. Wks. (1880) 199 Þat..alle brennynge charite..be so sadly rotyd in vs.
c1440 (?a1396) W. Hilton in G. G. Perry Eng. Prose Treat. (1921) 15 Whene þe mynde es stablede sadely, with-owttene changynge and vagacyone, in Godd.
?a1450 (?c1400) Lay Folks' Catech. (Lamb.) (1901) 59 Loke þou withstande sadly þe furst begynnynge of þe temptacoun of þe fend.
1493 Festivall (1515) 48 Sadly beleue the fader is full god almyghty.
c1530 Court of Love 877 Emprent my speche in your memorial Sadly.
1567 J. Rastell Briefe Shew False Wares ix. f. 122v They..goe so sadly and constantly to the holding of him.
1622 F. Bacon Hist. Raigne Henry VII 133 But the King finding that he did sadly, and constantly (without hesitation or varying)..stand to that that hee had said.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adverb]
hardlyeOE
strongeOE
hardOE
fastOE
starklyOE
stalworthlyc1175
starkc1225
mainlyc1300
fellc1330
snellc1330
stout1338
wightlya1340
sadlya1375
sharplyc1380
tough1398
stoutly1399
throa1400
wighta1400
lustilyc1400
sorec1400
vigourslyc1400
stiff1422
vigoriouslya1450
vigorouslya1450
actuallya1470
stourlyc1480
forcely?a1500
lustly1529
fricklyc1540
dingilya1555
livelily?1565
crankly1566
forcibly1578
crank1579
wightily?a1600
proudly1600
energetically1609
stiffly1623
ding-dong1628
greenly1633
hard and fast1646
slashingly1659
thwackingly1660
warmlya1684
robustly1709
sonsily1729
forcefullya1774
vim1843
zippily1924
vibrantly1926
punchily1934
zingily1951
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) 2751 Whan þe ludes where neiȝ lond, he leped ouer borde, sadli in al here siȝt for þei him sew schold.
?1473 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Recuyell Hist. Troye (1894) I. lf. 134 The two champions approchid eche other and smote to gyder so sadly and sore that the place redounded of her strokes.
c1475 Sqr. lowe Degre 646 The stewarde at hym full sadly fought.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xiii. 494 In cambuskynneth the kyngis vittale He tuk, and sadly gert assale Schir Wilȝame of herth, and him slew.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) ii. l. 84 The Perseys stwart sadly till him socht.
a1500 (?c1400) Song of Roland (1880) 763 They went to sadly, And set þer dyntis.
3. † b. Steadily, calmly; quietly. Obsolete.
a. Seriously; in earnest; gravely, soberly. In later use merging with 9a.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > dejection > melancholy > seriousness or solemnity > [adverb]
highlyOE
deeplyc1300
solemnlya1325
sadlya1375
soberly1382
demurelyc1400
sadc1400
seriouslyc1425
solemnya1470
murely1474
solemnedlyc1480
solenny1480
in (good, sober, serious) sadness1545
gravely1553
staidly1571
solemniouslya1578
solidly1632
in sad earnest1637
ponderously1637
in jest-earnest1642
in all seriousness1679
joking apart1745
unhumorously1768
solidly1799
in sober earnest1836
mirthlessly1853
votively1857
smilelessly1869
unmirthfully1872
unsmilingly1879
inhumorously1898
soberingly1923
straightfacedly1977
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) 557 What ȝif I saide him sadly þat i sek were & told him al treuly þe entecches of myn euele?
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Shipman's Tale (Hengwrt) (1978) l. 1265 This Marchant vp ariseth And on hise nedes sadly hym auyseth.
a1450 York Plays (1885) xxxii. 62 Saie me sadly þe soth.
c1480 (a1400) St. John Evangelist 176 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 102 Til hym þan sancte Iames prechit, and crystis law sa sadly techit.
1489 W. Caxton tr. C. de Pisan Bk. Fayttes of Armes i. xv. 40 Mesurably and sadly demened.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. lxix Thei daunsed with Ladies sadly, and communed not with the ladies after the fassion of Maskers, but behaued theimselfes sadly.
1570 J. Jewel Def. Apol. Churche Eng. (1571) ii. 161 This booke..was readde sadly vnto the people, and had in reuerence.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing ii. iii. 210 This can be no tricke, the conference was sadly borne. View more context for this quotation
1612 G. Chapman Widdowes Teares iii. sig. F3v But doe you brother sadly intend the pursuite of this triall?
1642 Bp. J. Taylor Of Sacred Order Episcopacy §xxxi But this to them that consider things sadly, is true or false according as any man list.
1777 M. Morgann Ess. Dramatic Char. Falstaff 122 As a caution to the audience not to take too sadly what was intended only..‘as an argument for a week’.
1865 G. W. Dasent Jest & Earnest (1873) 144 Even my amusements I take sadly, in a thoroughly old English way, and..the even tenor of my life is as dull as ditch-water.
1900 Catholic World Jan. 521 The children have angular little bodies and expressionless faces. Their pleasures they take sadly.
1921 Times 24 May (Suppl.) xiv/5 He had few troubles and anxieties, and his amusements he was never inclined to take sadly.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > [adverb]
evenlyOE
egallyc1374
soberly1382
sadly?a1400
wellc1405
digestlya1522
calmly1597
placidly1635
sedately1646
equanimously1652
recollectedly1654
serenely1690
composedly1702
dispassionately1717
serene1728
unperturbedly?1786
solidly1799
tranquilly1801
relaxedly1819
collectedly1838
comfortably1872
equably1873
unagitatedly1894
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) i. l. 13020 On boþe sides þei gan to blowe & trumped als a fulle gode þrewe, blowand neghed nehi & nehi, sadly passand & softeli.
c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) ii. §29. 39 Tak thanne thyn Astrolabie with bothe handes sadly & slely.
1692 C. Morton Spirit of Man 90 One Servant of God is Chearful, and Sings at his work; Another goes sadly and carefully about it.
1814 R. L. Sheil Adelaide i. i. 3 An eye now sadly bent upon the earth, Now movelessly contemplative of heaven.
1834 O. Goldsmith Rising Village (Canad. ed.) 37 The note of Whip-poor-Will how sweet to hear, When sadly slow [1825 sad and slow] it breaks upon the ear, And tells each night, to all the silent vale, The hopeless sorrows of its mournful tale.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > drinking > [adverb] > deeply
sadlya1375
deeply1557
square1570
squarely1611
deep1711
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > sleep > [adverb] > deeply or soundly
fastOE
sadlya1375
to sleep sounda1400
soundlyc1400
stronglya1500
deeply1632
tight1898
out to it1941
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > [adverb] > fully or to full extent or in full
fullyeOE
wellOE
plenarly?1316
largelyc1325
abandonc1330
perfectly1340
sadlya1375
plainlya1382
fullily1385
largea1400
atauntc1400
taunta1550
in toto1573
good1577
soundly1577
richly1588
plenarily1615
sounda1616
plenally1631
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 4566 (MED) Sone þe semli segges were sette in halle..& sete so in solas; sadli ful þe halle.
c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. v. 4 (MED) Þenne Wakede I of my wink, me was wo with alle Þat I nedde sadloker I-slept and I-seȝe more.
c1400 (?c1380) Patience l. 442 (MED) Þer he swowed and slept sadly al nyȝt.
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale (Hengwrt) l. 645 Messager drank sadly ale and wyn.
a1425 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1869) I. 11 Þis fillyng is not voide but sadly replenchid.
a1600 ( W. Stewart tr. H. Boece Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) 39514 Ane herb..mukilwort..Quha previs it so sadlie garris thame sleip, Quhilk puttis thame in perrell of the deid.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > absence of movement > [adverb] > in a stable manner > firmly (fixed)
stronglyeOE
fasteOE
stitha1000
hardOE
fastlyOE
steadfasta1300
stithlya1300
steevec1330
a-rootc1374
firmlyc1374
hard and fastc1380
sadc1380
sadlya1398
steadfastlya1400
stronga1400
stalworthlyc1440
solidatively?1541
hardfast1548
secure1578
sickera1586
solidly?1611
tighta1625
securely1642
steevely1790
inexcussably1816
tightly1866
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvii. ii. 892 In smale trees is more hete and druynesse þat byndeþ þe Parties thereof faste and sadliche [1495 de Worde sadly] togidres.
c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 1744 In goon the speres ful sadly in the arest.
a1450 York Plays (1885) 43 Þus sall I iune it with a gynn, And sadly sette it with symonde fyne.
c1450 (c1350) Alexander & Dindimus (Bodl.) (1929) l. 1135 Þere his burnus he bad bulden of marbre A piler sadliche i-picht or he passe wolde.
a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) III. 1111 And whan we have delyverde them lat us three holde us sadly togydirs.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xiii. 374 Knyt ȝow als sadly as ȝhe may.
a1500 (?a1390) J. Mirk Festial (Gough) (1905) 21 By hys medyacyon, he knet þe loue of God to man so sadly þat þe fadyr of Heuen spared not his owne sonne.
c1550 Clariodus (1830) ii. 1123 Togidder gois thir michtie champiouns With speir set all sadlie into the reist.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > weight or relative heaviness > [adverb]
heavyc1000
heavilyc1320
sadlya1400
ponderouslyc1500
lead-like1816
lumpishly1860
leadenly1879
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 22478 (MED) Þe sterns wit þair leman leuen Ful saddli fall sal þai dun fra heuen.
c1450 (?a1400) Duke Rowland & Sir Otuell (1880) l. 1313 So sadly one his scholdire it [sc. the blow] felle, The knyghte by-gane to knele.
a1500 (?a1400) Sir Torrent of Portyngale (1887) l. 1611 Glad pluckys there he toke, Set sadly and sare.
?1556 (a1500) Knight of Curtesy (Copland) sig. A.iii In swoune [she] fell downe hym vpon So sadly that the knyght awoke.
a1578 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) I. 222 Mr. Patrick Lindsay..strampit sadlie on his brotheris foott to gar him wnderstand that [etc.].
1631 Bp. J. Hall Occas. Medit. (ed. 2) (2nd state) §cxxxvi An empty cart runs lightly away, but if it be soundly laden, it goes sadly.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > absolute certainty > [adverb]
withouten wantrukea1225
without missa1275
dreadlessc1369
doubtlessc1386
certainlya1400
sadly?a1425
questionlessc1425
undoubtablyc1425
doubtlesslyc1440
unsoilablyc1445
undoubtablec1450
undoubteda1500
undoubtedly?a1500
infallibly1502
indefeasibly1540
undubitately1548
indubitatelya1552
undoubting1552
undoubtingly1552
indoubtedly1563
indoubtly1606
unquestionably1611
questionlessly1612
indubitably1624
undoubtfully1628
uncontrollably1629
irrefragably1635
ungainsayably1637
inquestionablya1641
indubiously1642
unquestionedly1644
incontrollably1646
incontrovertibly1646
indisputably1646
acknowledgedly?1649
inexpugnably1653
uncontrovertablya1658
undubitably1660
inconfutably1664
uncontrollably1676
irrefutably1681
uncontestedly1699
undisputably1707
uncontestably1709
incontestablya1711
uncontrovertibly1755
undisputedly1778
(and) no mistake1818
unchallengeably1827
without resort1827
undeniedly1837
unappealably1840
indubitativelya1853
irrecusably1862
uncontradictably1862
inescapably1881
unarguably1888
sho1893
sure1894
posilutely1914
hands down1936
?a1425 (a1415) Lanterne of Liȝt (Harl.) (1917) 16 (MED) Now bi þe autorite of God & oone acordaunce of hise holi seintis sueþ an open conclucioun, sadli groundid in trewe bileue, þat in þe court of Rome is þe heed of anticrist.
c1460 in A. Clark Eng. Reg. Oseney Abbey (1907) 42 (MED) Therefore we will and sadly charge or ordeyne þat now þe saide church and chanons..all the fornamed thynges..in-to here owne vses haue and possesse.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1897–1973) 211 (MED) Not els bot if ye will hym by; do say me sadly or I gang.
8. Sombrely, in dark colours.In later use merging with 9a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > quality of colour > [adverb] > dark
darkly1517
swartly1582
duskishly1589
duskily1611
sadly1616
swarthily1755
1616 B. Jonson Entertainm. at Theobalds 6 in Wks. I A gloomie obscure place, hung all with black silkes, and in it only one light, which the Genivs of the house held, sadly attir'd.
1789 M. Madan tr. Juvenal Satires iii, in New & Literal Transl. Juvenal & Persius I. 135 If the great house of Asturius hath fallen; the mother is ghastly, The nobles sadly clothed.
1870 H. MacCormac Sc. Minister 37 The pattering feet of dark-coated men and sadly-attired women, as they fared to..the kirk.
1884 W. O. Stoddard Abraham Lincoln xxx. 247 The funeral ceremonies were held in the gaudy ‘East Room’, sadly dressed and draped for the occasion.
1952 M. Henrey Madeleine Grown Up xxi. 312 Here was the leading lady rather sadly dressed in her black costume, a beige hat pulled down over her eyes.
II. In a sorrowful manner.
9. † b. With regret; reluctantly. Obsolete. rare.
a. Sorrowfully, mournfully.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > sorrow or grief > [adverb]
wrothec950
heavilyc1000
sorrowlyOE
sorrilylOE
sorrowfullyc1225
dolefullyc1290
sadlya1375
teenfullya1375
wrothlyc1374
unwinlya1400
grievouslyc1400
unblithely1415
tristily?c1450
sad?a1475
sytefully1488
earnfully?1527
dolently1548
mournfully?1567
distressfully1593
passionately1604
tragicly1604
grievingly1623
distressedly1890
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) 539 Sadli sikand & sore for sorwe atte here herte.
a1400–50 Alexander 5584 Þe berne..Sighis selcuthly sare & sadli he wepis.
a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 42 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 96 I herd ane petuoss appele with ane pure mane Solpit in sorowe yat sadly couth say [etc.].
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Gen. xl. A Why loke ye so sadly to daye?
a1596 G. Peele Loue King Dauid & Fair Bethsabe (1599) sig. Hiv How sadly his poore sheepeheard sings.
1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets viii. sig. B2v Mvsick to heare, why hear'st thou musick sadly?
1626 T. May tr. Lucan Pharsalia i. sig. B2 Sadlyer barke Scyllaes doggs then they were wont.
c1665 L. Hutchinson Life in Mem. Col. Hutchinson (1973) 285 He died in the month of May 1630, sadly bewail'd.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 137 Near his Paternal Stream he sadly stands, With down-cast Eyes, wet Cheeks, and folded Hands. View more context for this quotation
1747 C. Lennox Poems 40 Beneath a Myrtle's spreading Shade, The sadly weeping Delia lay.
?1799 Adventures Lucifer in London i. 11 A poor old soldier was crying sadly over his jack-ass, which had just sunk under a burthen of potatoes.
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. x. 107 He speaks sadly..of the fortunes of the winter.
1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 43 There at the head of a late filled grave Sadly a youth and a maiden stood.
1929 E. M. Brent-Dyer Rivals of Chalet School v. 61 ‘No walk this day!’ said that young person, looking sadly out of the window.
2006 Church Times 23 June 15/2 I thought sadly back to those teenage years, and the camaraderie of girls united in exam-time adversity.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > unwillingness > [adverb]
unwillc893
uneathc900
unthankc960
latelyOE
against a person's willa1225
loatha1340
grutchingly1340
at one's unthanksa1400
wandsomely?a1400
at (or again) one's unwillesc1400
uneathsa1425
unwilfully1435
invitec1450
tarrowinglyc1480
scantly1509
nicely1530
tarryingly1530
unwillingly?1531
loathly1547
faintly1548
evil-willingly1549
grudgingly1549
difficultly1551
loathsomely1561
dangerously1573
ill-willing1579
backwardlya1586
costively1598
with an ill will1601
with (a) bad (also ill) grace1614
sadly1622
tenderlya1628
reluctantly1646
shyly1701
uncheerfully1754
à contre-coeur1803
shrinkingly1817
retractatively1851
begrudgingly1853
forcibly1867
loathfully1887
tharfly1894
1622 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Phylaster (new ed.) v. 75 I must request of you One fauour, and will sadly be denyed.
c. In a manner to cause sadness; lamentably, grievously, deplorably.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > sorrow or grief > lamentation or expression of grief > [adverb] > lamentably
ruthfullyc1225
tooc1275
piteouslyc1300
pitifullyc1450
pietously1474
wretchedly1546
lamentably1585
deplorably1653
sadly1655
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb]
stronglyeOE
felec950
strongeOE
highlyOE
highOE
greatlya1200
stourlya1225
greata1325
dreec1330
deeplya1400
mightya1400
dreichlyc1400
mighty?a1425
sorec1440
mainlyc1450
greatumly1456
madc1487
profoundly1489
stronglya1492
muchwhata1513
shrewlya1529
heapa1547
vengeance?1548
sorely1562
smartlyc1580
mightly1582
mightily1587
violently1601
intensively1604
almightily1612
violent1629
seriously1643
intensely1646
importunately1660
shrewdly1664
gey1686
sadly1738
plenty1775
vitally1787
substantively1795
badly1813
far1814
heavily1819
serious1825
measurably1834
dearly1843
bally1939
majorly1955
sizzlingly1956
majorly1978
fecking1983
1655 in G. R. Kinloch Eccl. Rec. St. Andrews & Cupar (1837) 169 The presbyterie being sadly weghted with the report of the..exhorbitant..confluences of people at pennie brydles.
1658 R. Allestree Pract. Christian Graces; or, Whole Duty of Man iii. §7. 75 That have provoked so great a Majesty, who is able so sadly to revenge himself upon you.
1697 P. A. Motteux et al. Novelty v. 46 Oh, he's gone: I was sadly afraid he would have left his Glove.
1738 J. Swift Compl. Coll. Genteel Conversat. 202 Mr. Neverout, we wanted you sadly.
1753 H. Walpole Let. 27 Mar. in Corr. (1955) XX. 368 Drawings..which I am sure will charm you, though none of them are quite well engraved, and some sadly.
1782 W. Cowper Friendship 87 Authors..Are sadly prone to quarrel.
1782 F. Burney Cecilia II. iv. i. 131 O, he is so ill! indeed I am sadly, sadly afraid he will never be well again!
1819 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto II lxxx. 159 Who had already perish'd, suffering madly, For having used their appetites so sadly.
1857 J. Ruskin Arrows of Chace (1880) I. 47 I have written you a sadly long letter, but I could not manage to get it shorter.
1863 W. C. Baldwin Afr. Hunting viii. 340 The flies torment us sadly.
1879 T. H. Huxley Hume x. 196 Metaphysicians, as a rule, are sadly deficient in the sense of humour.
1910 H. S. Johnson Williams on Service iv. 36 A row of sadly-weathered saints..leeringly incongruous in their stiff ugliness.
1944 M. J. MacManus Eamon de Valera xiii. 288 Poor Mr. Thomas..was sadly miscast on the diplomatic stage.
1997 Classical Music Mag. Dec. 28/1 The..composer..Percy Grainger had been sadly neglected since his death in 1961.
d. As a sentence adverb: regrettably, unfortunately.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > regret > [adverb] > regrettably
unhappilyc1374
regrettably1853
sadly1931
regretfully1945
1931 Decatur (Illinois) Evening Herald 3 Aug. 6 The request [to publish poetry] comes periodically. Sadly, however, we had to write to this person..‘Of all the commodities created by human..ingenuity, none..are so difficult to merchandise as poems.’
1951 Ada (Okla.) Evening News 8 Feb. 4 Far more of the letters are from Mr. Average Citizen... Sadly, though, Mr. Citizen seldom appears at the important legislative hearings.
1973 Times 16 Feb. 19/4 The Headmaster of Winchester College asks: ‘Is there any other ancient cathedral city in Western Europe with so much fast, heavy, long-distance traffic planned to run so near?’ Sadly, the answer is ‘Yes, York’.
1988 F. McGuinness Carthaginians iv, in Carthaginians & Baglady 34 Sadly, this devotion has led to the neglect of her son.
2003 J. Haldane Intelligent Person's Guide to Relig. vi. 179 Sadly, the best efforts of Williams's admirers could not protect his passing from being associated with absurdity.
10. Used predicatively: in bad health, ill, ‘poorly’. Now English regional.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > [adverb]
sickly1572
down1625
unhealthily1644
sadly1711
sicklily1727
wretchedly1728
morbidly1804
sickishly1847
1711 J. Swift Jrnl. to Stella 15 May (1948) I. 270 I look better already; for faith I lookt sadly.
1774 H. Kelly School for Wives v. 85 You look sadly, very sadly indeed! your old disorder the jaundice, I suppose, has been very troublesome to you?
1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. Udolpho IV. xiii. 289 Stay till you are a little better, mademoiselle, you look sadly!
1854 E. E. Stuart Let. 10 Apr. in R. Stuart et al. Stuart Lett. (1961) II. 596 Mrs. Clarke is alarmingly ill.., they are obliged to get a Wet Nurse for Baby—He, poor fellow, feels very sadly.
1866 ‘G. Eliot’ Felix Holt II. xxvii. 167 Lyddy had said, ‘Miss, you look sadly; if you can't take a walk, go and lie down’.
1898 Mrs. H. Ward Helbeck v. ii. 395 Mrs. Fountain's nobbut sadly, I unnerstan.
1949 S. Grapes Boy John Lett. (1974) 14 She cum a pokin' a' nose in wen she heard Granfar was sadly.
1960 A. O. D. Claxton Suffolk Dial. 20th Cent. (ed. 2) 66 Oi dew fare kinda sadly.
Compounds
Prefixed to adjectives forming compounds with the sense ‘—— in a sad manner’, as sadly-pleasing, sadly-sweet, etc.
ΚΠ
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis x, in tr. Virgil Wks. 532 A sadly pleasing Thought.
1713 A. Pope Ode Musick 1 In a sadly-pleasing Strain Let the warbling Lute complain.
1816 W. Wordsworth Thanksgiving Ode 44 To..utter England's name with sadly-plausive voice.
1974 Sat. Night (Toronto) May 24/1 There is something sadly comic about modern Canadian historicism.
1996 Sunday Star-Times (Auckland) (Nexis) 22 Sept. (Entertainment section) 12 A sadly-sweet story about three daughters growing up in a small American town.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2008; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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