slyadj.adv.n.
/slʌɪ/, U.S. /slaɪ/ A. adj.† 2. Marked or characterized by skill or dexterity; showing skilfulness or ingenuity; cleverly or finely made. Obsolete.
1. † b. Const. in or of (also at, on) something. Obsolete.† c. With infinitive. Obsolete.
a. Of persons: Skilful, clever, dexterous, or expert in doing something; possessing practical skill or ability; skilled, knowing, wise. (Also occasionally of animals.) Obsolete exc. northern dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [adjective]
prettyOE
hagherc1175
slyc1175
skilful1338
cunning1382
subtlec1390
subtilea1393
appertise1484
sleighta1513
practicatec1550
skilled1552
right-sided1575
canny1628
skilly1768
Oorlam1881
heads up1913
shit-hot1942
multi-skill1970
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > familiarity > [adjective] > knowing about, familiar with
craftyOE
slyc1175
coutha1225
well acquainteda1250
privyc1300
cunningc1325
well-groundeda1438
acquainted?a1439
familiar1509
at home1531
overseen1533
intelligent1546
long-experienced1567
conversant1573
skilful1596
accomplished1603
frequent1609
well (better, best) verseda1610
understanding1612
sound1615
studieda1616
technical1617
versed1622
conversing1724
versant1787
on intimate habits1809
special1830
inquainted1849
pre-acquainted1907
sophisticated1952
α.
β. a1300 Havelok 1084 Hwere mithe i finden ani so hey So Hauelok is, or so sley??c1450 in Vicary's Anat. Bodie of Man (1888) App. ix. 228 Apone the nose..Schall thowe lete blode, if thowe be sle.1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xvi. 335 He gert get vrichtis that ves sle.1807 J. Stagg Misc. Poems (new ed.) 93 When Seymie..was as slee as onny Danniel.c1859 T. Moore Song Sol. vii. 1 A slee warkman.γ. c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 10 He is makir of my kynde, as a sliȝ werkman.a1400 Sir Beues 579 Þe king him louede also is broþer, And þe maide, þat was so sliȝ.a1425 tr. Arderne's Treat. Fistula 2 God..hath hid many thingis fro wise men and sliȝe whiche he vouchesaf aftirward for to shewe to symple men.c1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 5333 Generides was hardie and sligh, And saw hem flee, and drogh him nigh.δ. c1320 Cast. Love (1849) 78 So slye and crafty they shull byn alle, That they shull do all thyng that in here hert doth falle.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8695 Þe king, þat was sa sli a clerc.1495 Trevisa's Bartholomeus De Proprietatibus Rerum (de Worde) xviii. liii. 812 Amptes ben full lytyll and ben neuerthelesse more slye [Bodl. MS. sliȝe] and besy than many grete beestys.1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne x. xli. 187 You..(whom grauer age And long experience hath made wise and slie).1865 Danby Gloss. (at cited word) He war a desput sly chap wha fost thow't o' thae sun-pict'rs.c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 13498 Her wass wiss filippe sleh & ȝæp. & haȝherr hunnte.
c1275 Five Joys Virgin 32 in Old Eng. Misc. 88 Þer þe schulen engles grete, for þu ert boþe hende and sleyh.
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 378 A carpenter..ich am, quoynte and sleiȝh.
c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 7570 Als clerkes says, þat er wise and sleghe.
c1350 Lybeaus Disc. 351 As a noble knyght, As werrour queynte and sclegh.
a1475 Liber Cocorum (Sloane) (1862) 19 Be sleȝe and powre in water þenne.
ΚΠ
(a)
(b)1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xxiii. 163 This sleuthe was sleyh of werre and a slynge made.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7251 For he was sle on [Gött. sly of] harpingleu.1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xvii. 938 He send for masonis..That sleast wes of that misteir.1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) i. l. 375 Off that labour as than he was nocht sle.a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 134 Gy off Gysburne na Allan Bell,..At schot war neuer so slie.a1300 Cursor Mundi 27280 In spiring loke þe preist be sli, Noght ouerbald bot als on drei.
c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 2662 Þarfor þou man in þi werk be slyghe.
c1400 Rowland & O. 690 Þe gentill Grauntere In Batayle þat was so sleghe.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid v. v. 76 Of Creit..born was sche, And in the craft of Mynerve wondir sle.
ΚΠ
a1300 Cursor Mundi 27290 Þat þe preist be slei To gar þe man him-seluen wrei.
c1400 Laud Troy Bk. 11112 He..asked hem..‘Whether thei were alle so sly To saue Ector with-oute poudre’.
a1475 Bk. Curtasye (Sloane 1986) l. 300 in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 308 With woso men..The falle to go, loke þou be slegh To aske his nome.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid vi. xv. 2 The peple..Bene..moir sle To forge and carve lyflyk staturis of bras.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [adjective] > ingenious > characterized by ingenuity
craftlyOE
quaintc1230
sly1297
subtilea1393
subtlea1400
cunning1423
prettyc1450
ingenious1548
politicc1550
well-contrived1563
conceited1579
well-invented1588
concepted1594
nimble1602
artful1605
artly?1614
artistical1646
callid1656
well-couched1671
tippy1863
genius1924
creative1967
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 7187 Louerd he sede þat ech þing madest quointe & sley.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 2258 Atte laste he wolde fleye, Feþer-hames he made hym sleye.
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (Bodl.) xviii. i Here [i.e. ants, bees, etc.] workes beþ sliȝe and sotel.
c1440 Pallad. on Husb. v. 154 Wher the swarmes dwelle, is craft tespie... Se heer the craft, and truly hit is sligh.
1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. cii*v Thai hynt of his harnese to helyn his wound Lechis war noght to lait with sawis sa sle.
1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid i. Prol. 108 Reid oftair than anis, Weill at ane blenk slee poetry nocht tane ys.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. ix. sig. Xv Lids deuiz'd of substance sly, That readily they shut and open might.
1721 A. Ramsay Elegy Patie Birnie i In sonnet slee the man I sing.
3.
a. Of persons: Adept or skilful in artifice or craft; using cunning or insidious means or methods; deceitful, guileful, wily, underhand.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [adjective]
warec888
craftyOE
hinderyeapc1000
yepec1000
foxc1175
slya1200
hinderc1200
quaint?c1225
wrenchfulc1225
wiltfula1250
wilyc1330
subtle1340
cautelous138.
sleightful1380
subtile1387
enginousa1393
wilfula1400
wilyc1407
sleighty1412
serpentinec1422
ginnousa1425
wittya1425
semyc1440
artificial?a1475
sleight1495
slapea1500
shrewdc1525
craftly1526
foxy1528
gleering?1533
foxish1535
insidious1545
vafrous1548
wily beguile1550
wilely1556
fine1559
todly1571
practic1585
subdolous1588
captious1590
witryff1598
cautel1606
cunninga1616
versute1616
shiftfula1618
artificious1624
insidiary1625
canny1628
lapwing-like1638
pawky?a1640
tricksome1648
callid1656
versutious1660
artful1663
slim1674
dexterous1701
trickish1705
supple1710
slid1719
vulpinary1721
tricksy1766
trickful1775
sneck-drawing1786
tricky1786
louche1819
sneck-drawn1820
slyish1828
vulpine1830
kokum1839
spidery1843
dodgy1861
ladino1863
carney1881
slinky1951
α., β.
γ., δ.c1386 G. Chaucer Friar's Tale 24 He hadde a Somonour redy to his hond, A slyer boye was noon in Engelond.1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 235 Thei ben slyhe in such a wise That thei be sleihte..Of Fals witnesse bringen inne [etc.].c1420 Chron. Vilod. 381 Þus Danes weren fulle fals and slyȝe.c1450 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 230 The traytours wene they bene so sly, That no mane can hem aspy.1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 324/1 Slye, crafty, subtyll, cautelleux.1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 324/1 Slye, wylye, fyn.1579 W. Wilkinson Confut. Familye of Loue Ep. Ded. sig. *ijv The subtle assaultes of so slye and cruell enemyes.1642 D. Rogers Naaman 16 A master having a slie servant, oft drunken and carelesse.1676 J. Dryden Aureng-Zebe i. 10 Some slie Court-Devil has seduc'd your mind.1775 R. B. Sheridan Rivals ii. i He was, indeed, a little inquisitive; but I was sly, sir; devilish sly!1865 Sat. Rev. 11 Feb. 162/2 He is slyer, less easy to fix with the responsibility of his actions.1874 J. L. Motley Life John of Barneveld I. ii. 131 Smoothest and sliest of diplomatists.a1200 St. Marher. 12 Þu hauest grimliche ibroht mi broðer to grunde, þen slehest deouel of helle.
c1275 Laȝamon Brut 14366 Þe worse was þare wel neh, Þat to soche game his wel sleh.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 731 (MED) Þat wyly deuel was ful sley.
a1450 J. Myrc Instr. to Par. Priests 1401 Wayte þat þow be slegh & fel.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) v. l. 740 He was full sle and ek had mony cast.
1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) I. 281 Ane subtill man and of ingyne richt hie, In all his tyme he wes baith fals and slie.
1724 A. Ramsay Tea-table Misc. (1733) I. 85 Little did her auld minny ken What thir slee twa togither were say'n.
1825 J. T. Brockett Gloss. North Country Words Slee, sly, cunning.
b. Of animals, etc. to run sly (see quot. 1845).
ΚΠ
1640 W. Mure Wks. (S.T.S.) II. 6 This slie fox, hunted from hole to hole.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 613 So talk'd the spirited sly Snake. View more context for this quotation
1756 tr. J. G. Keyssler Trav. I. 96 Whatever might be his fidelity to the duke, he [sc. a wolf] was very sly and malicious to others.
1776 T. Pennant Brit. Zool. (ed. 4, octavo) II. ii. 590 From this instinctive cunning..the natives of the Orknies to this day call them [sc. sheldrakes] the sly goose.
1793 J. Sinclair Statist. Acct. Scotl. VII. 546 The dunter or eider duck, the sly goose, the awk.
1807 G. Crabbe Parish Reg. ii, in Poems 70 A sly old Fish, too cunning for the Hook.
1822 S. Hibbert Descr. Shetland Islands 408 The shieldrake, or slygoose, builds in these rabbit burrows.
1845 W. Youatt Dog ii. 38 The Scotch greyhound.., instead of depending on his speed alone,..has recourse to occasional artifices in order to intercept the hare, in sporting language, he runs sly.
c. Of looks: Expressive of slyness.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [adjective] > of looks
sly1821
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth III. vii. 115 Varney has a sly countenance, and a smooth tongue.
1847 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) xiv. 130 The grim sly faces in the squares and diamonds of the floor-cloth..peeped out at him with less wicked eyes.
4. † b. Of words, etc.: Full of duplicity or wile; subtle; disingenuous. Obsolete.
a. Of actions, things, etc.: Marked or characterized by, displaying or indicating, artifice, craft or cunning; of an insidious or wily nature.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [adjective] > specifically of actions, qualities, etc.
craftyc1225
subtle1340
slyc1380
sleightlyc1402
subtilec1405
wilyc1407
sleighty1412
foxly1528
sleight1533
colubrinec1540
serpentical1546
fox-like1587
shrewd1589
vulpine1628
insidiating1632
serpentic1661
serpentary1681
artful1865
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 321 Freris bildyng..is comuneliche makid bi slyh robbyngis of þe fend.
c1386 G. Chaucer Nun's Priest's Tale 395 A colfox, ful of sly Iniquitee.
c1440 J. Capgrave Life St. Katherine iv. 808 Wherfore I thenke a slyere weye to renne, That hir purpos shal not thus encrees.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. cliij By this pratye cautele and slyghe imposture, was the towne..taken.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney tr. Psalmes David (1823) xxxv. iii Let their sly witts unwares destruction gett.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 98 Still disappointing all the slie designs of the Popes.
1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd ii. 115 Satan with slye preface to return Had left him. View more context for this quotation
a1748 I. Watts Improvem. Mind in Wks. (1813) VIII. v.45 Envy..works in a sly and imperceptible manner.
1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 249 A mere mask of sly grimace.
1833 H. Martineau Berkeley the Banker i. iv. 78 The buyers and sellers will make any kind of sly and circuitous bargain.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. xvii. 69 The Celt found many opportunities of taking a sly revenge.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > evasive deception, shiftiness > [adjective] > of actions, words, etc.
sly1387
sinister?1455
slippery1579
shuffling1644
evasorious1687
evasive1744
shiftya1863
1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VII. 371 Wily and sly silogismes.
a1425 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Galba) l. 27998 If þou euer..wowid hir with wordes sleghe.
c1450 Jacob's Well (1900) 150 Thruȝ slye woordys & fayre to make a man wene þat he hath vertu.., whan he hath non.
1567 Gude & Godlie Ball. 150 Tak gude keip To thame that cumis to the..With subtell Sermonis slie.
1675 R. Baxter Catholick Theol. ii. v. 88 A sly equivocation, turning the question from the potentia operata to the potentia operans.
1829 E. Bulwer-Lytton Devereux I. ii. v. 204 He knows not what sly conclusions may be drawn from his premises.
5.
a. Marked or characterized by secrecy or stealth; working, moving, etc., in a stealthy or underhand manner. Also of places: Quiet, secret.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > stealthy action, stealth > [adjective]
privyc1230
thiefly1395
stalkinga1400
slyc1440
insidious1545
clanculary1563
hedge-creeping1579
thievish1587
sneaking1590
tiptoe1593
peaking1595
underworking1605
stealthya1616
subtlea1616
surreptitious?1615
clancular1621
stealthful?1624
insidiary1625
worming1631
subterranean1643
clancularious1656
hugger-mugger1692
slink1792
slinking1841
instealing1844
thief-like1847
furtive1859
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > evasive deception, shiftiness > [adjective]
slipperc1000
hinderc1200
slidderya1250
covert1340
unwrast1393
slyc1440
slippery1555
fetching1570
shifting1581
as slippery as an eel1601
roundabout1608
corner-creeping1610
shuffling1616
prevaricatory1645
prevaricative1657
sliverly1674
whifflinga1680
sneak-pasty1681
slid1719
evasive1725
shauchling1755
shifty1837
slab-bridged1845
sneaky1861
pussy-footed1893
sidewinding1902
slithery1902
pussyfooting1926
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > stealthy action, stealth > stealthy movement > [adjective]
creepinga1400
slyc1440
prowling1546
stealing1574
sneaking1590
cat-footed1598
soft-footed1603
surrepent1608
cat-likea1616
stealthya1616
grassant1659
sliving1661
creep-mouse1766
secret1768
slinking1841
pussy-footed1893
undercreeping1893
pussyfooting1926
slinky1951
society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > retirement or seclusion > secluded place or place of seclusion > [adjective]
secrec1374
blindc1386
privatea1513
secret?a1513
shadowy1555
close1571
retired1593
retrait1603
sequestrate1632
recessful1646
recluse1650
reserved1653
secessive1653
coy1670
sequestrated1726
slya1764
secluded1798
shy1841
retiracied1856
undisprivacied1870
madding1874
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 472/1 Stalkynge, or soft and sly goynge, serptura.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II i. iii. 144 The slie slow houres shall not determinate The datelesse limite of thy deere exile. View more context for this quotation
1608 E. Topsell Hist. Serpents 150 Slye poyson takes the marrow, and eating fire Burning the bowels warme till all consumed.
1641 J. Milton Reason Church-govt. 47 That severe assise of survaying and controuling the privatest, and sliest manners of all men.
a1764 R. Lloyd Poetry Professors in Poet. Wks. (1774) I. 35 At some sly corner in the Strand.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. vi. 56 I therefore approached my chair by sly degrees to the fire.
1807 J. Barlow Columbiad vii. 253 With..the sly watchword whisper'd from the tongue.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth II. vii. 187 Thou canst give a friend a sly place at a mask or a revel now.
1895 A. Forbes Mem. War & Peace 102 One of a ‘sly patrol’ which I was accompanying one July morning.
b. slang. Illicit, illegal; esp. Australian in sly grog (seller, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
society > law > rule of law > illegality > [adjective]
unleefula1382
unlawfula1387
wrongfulc1386
unleesomec1400
unlisible?c1425
wrong1480
unlegitimate1602
illicit1606
illegal1626
non licet1628
adulterine1640
unlegal1640
illegitimate1645
illegitime1669
wrongous1671
contraband1686
illicitous1693
sly1829
unprocedural1929
bent1930
bust-out1934
bandulu1980
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > types or qualities of intoxicating liquor > [noun] > illicit
sly grog (seller, etc.)1829
Sneaky Pete1949
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > distilled drink > [noun] > illicit spirits
moonshine1782
moonlight1809
Jack1816
sly grog (seller, etc.)1829
busthead1851
hooch1897
jackass1921
moon1921
samogon1928
shine1933
shinny1934
Hokonui1947
1829 H. Widowson Present State Van Diemen's Land iv. 24 To these [inns] also, I believe, I may add a like number of ‘sly grog shops’, as they are called.
1840 T. P. MacQueen Australia 23 Increased powers ought to be given the magistrates and police to prevent the nuisances usually termed sly grog shops.
1844 Port Phillip Patriot (Melbourne) 11 July 2/5 An information..against a party for sly grog selling.
1851 H. Mayhew London Labour I. 294/2 A sly trade's always the best for paying, and for selling too.
1858 T. McCombie Hist. Colony Victoria x. 127 Convicts, who erected huts, and became ‘sly grog’ sellers.
1875 Melbourne Spectator 21 Aug. 190/1 Several vendors of sly-grog were fined.
1936 F. Clune Roaming round Darling xxiv. 265 What a promotion—a sly-grogger to king of the Toko blacks!
1941 S. J. Baker Pop. Dict. Austral. Slang 68 Sly-groggery, a sly-grog shop.
1959 M. Scott White Elephant xiii. 137 It's a sly-grogging hole and..I didn't go there.
1969 W. Dick Naked Prodigal 64 We were on our way to the sly grog joint to buy a dozen bottles.
6. Playfully mischievous or malicious; roguish; waggish.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > playful mischievousness > [adjective]
knavish1552
spritish1566
wickeda1616
monkeyish1621
impish1652
mischievous1675
slya1771
nineteda1798
wansonsy1819
Pucklike1845
picklesome1885
monkey-doodle1886
the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > causing laughter > mischievous or practical joking > [adjective] > mischievously joking
waggish1600
roguish1603
pawky?a1640
roguey1664
arch1684
slya1771
natkhat1843
wagsome1868
a1771 T. Gray Candidate (?1780) 1 When sly Jemmy Twitcher had smugg'd up his face.
1786 R. Burns Poems 199 A spunk o' Allan's glee, Or Ferguson's, the bauld an' slee.
1800 E. Hervey Mourtray Family I. 156 Looking, with a sly wink, at Emma.
1805 N. Nicholls Corr. with Gray (1843) 45 The sly, delicate, and exquisitely elegant pleasantry of La Fontaine.
1832 Ld. Tennyson Miller's Daughter xvii, in Poems (new ed.) 41 Rosecheekt, roselipt, half-sly, half-shy, You would, and would not, little one.
B. adv.
In a sly, skilful, or cunning manner; slyly. Also in combinations, as sly-couched, sly dealing. Now rare or poetic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [adverb] > skilfully or adroitly
slylyc1275
sly1370
featly1436
addresslya1500
sleightly?c1510
clean1531
trickly1542
neatlya1547
trick1564
cleanly1583
cleverly1654
clever1664
adroitly1695
adeptly1804
slick1825
shrewdly1851
cleverishly1881
slickly1893
niftily1901
eptly1974
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [adverb]
foxlyc1175
craftilyc1225
craftlyc1225
slylyc1275
fellyc1300
quaintc1300
quaintlyc1325
sleightlyc1330
subtly1340
sly1370
espyinglya1382
wisely1390
wililya1400
wilyc1400
subtilelyc1405
ginnouslya1425
semylyc1440
serpentlya1450
small?c1450
cautelously1477
politicly1477
sleightfullyc1480
artificiously1536
insidiously1545
sleightily1549
artificially1566
cunningly1603
versutely1616
artfully1631
subdolously1638
serpentinely1656
slimlya1680
pawkily1714
politically1764
trickfullyc1790
trickishly1824
leerily1859
dodgily1868
trickily1895
foxily1933
1370–80 Visions St. Paul 125 in Old Eng. Misc. 226 Þe Aungel seide to him ful sleih, ‘Þei vsuden Ocur and vsuri’.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8420 Þow do him for to foster slei, To be lered him-self to lede.
a1400 Rom. Rose 7449 For semblant was so slye wrought, That falsnesse he ne espyed nought.
1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. xxxv. sig. O7 Satan beganne first with hesitations, and his sly-couch'd Oratorie.
a1802 Katharine Jaffray vii, in F. J. Child Eng. & Sc. Pop. Ballads (1890) IV. vii. 220/2 Up then spak Lord Faughanwood, An he spak very slee.
1931 H. Belloc Sonnets & Verse 80 Wine, bright avenger of sly-dealing wrong.
C. n.
1. plural. Skilful or crafty persons. †Also singular, one who is skilled or cunning.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [noun] > skilful person
slies1297
artist1594
skilla1657
technicist1828
technician1833
technist1858
hot dog1966
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [noun] > cunning person
foxc1000
yepea1250
slies1297
wily-man1393
wilyc1400
sneck-drawer1402
piea1425
wily-piec1450
artificera1500
tod?a1513
Sim Subtlea1529
serpentinea1533
prata1542
wily beguile1550
wily-wat?1550
elfa1556
dog fox1609
saccularian1652
sly-cap1681
sly-boots1699
craftsmaster1717
scunge1824
sleeveen1834
chickaleary1869
sneck-draw1886
rusée1889
slypuss1942
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [noun] > cunning person > collectively
slies1297
crafty1558
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 7405 A monek he sende him in message, & dude as þe sley.
c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 379 O lond þai sett þat sleiȝe.
c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 271 And euer he dede as þe sleiȝe.
a1450 (?c1350) Pride of Life l. 192 in N. Davis Non-Cycle Plays & Fragm. (1970) 96 Þou spekis noȝt as þe sleye.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) xi. l. 382 On the fyllat full sternly straik that sle.
2. on (upon, under, or by) the sly, in a secret, clandestine, or covert manner; without publicity or openness; secretly, covertly, stealthily.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > stealthy action, stealth > [adverb]
softlyc1225
by stalea1240
privilya1250
slylyc1275
thieflyc1290
stealingly13..
by stealth1390
stalworthlya1400
theftfullyc1400
theftlyc1400
theftuouslyc1400
under veilc1425
thievishly?c1450
by theft1488
quietly1488
furtively1490
by surreption1526
hugger-muggera1529
in hugger-mugger1529
underhand1538
insidiously1545
creepingly1548
surreptiously1573
underboard1582
filchingly1583
sneakingly1598
underwater1600
slipperily1603
thief-likea1625
clandestinely1632
surreptitiously1643
thievously1658
clancularly1699
stownlins1786
stealthily1806
underhandedly1806
stolen-wise1813
on (upon, under, or by) the sly1818
round-the-corner1820
underhanded1823
stealthfully1828
slinkingly1830
slippingly1830
on the sneak?1863
sneakishly1867
behind backs1874
stalkingly1891
on the side1893
under the counter1926
underground1935
under the table1938
down and dirty1959
sneakily1966
(a)
(b)1818 J. Keats Let. 18 Dec. (1958) II. 13 It might have been a good joke to pour on the sly bottle after bottle into a washing tub and roar for more.1825 Sporting Mag. 16 330 We should find them ever on the ‘sly’, as it is called.1851 H. Mayhew London Labour I. 387/1 They sold it..to ladies that liked a drop on the sly.1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. III. xc. 234 Prominent politicians came to seek favours from him on the sly.(c)1843 H. W. Longfellow Spanish Student iii. v. 146 As soon as you see the planets are out, in with you, and be busy with the ten commandments, under the sly.(d)1859 ‘G. Eliot’ Adam Bede I. i. vii. 152 Mrs. Poyser..continually gazed at Hetty's charms by the sly.1861 Rom. Dull Life xxx. 218 It seems to me disgraceful to do things by the sly, that you dare not have known.1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in Memoirs II. (at cited word) Any business transacted, or intimation given, privately, or under the rose, is said to be done upon the sly.
1866 C. Reade Griffith Gaunt (ed. 2) III. 102 A certain farmer's man, who wired hares upon the sly.
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
sly-eyed adj.
ΚΠ
1967 G. Kelly in Coast to Coast 1965–6 97 He hated blonde women—sly-eyed, breasts..undulating above her..tunic.
sly-looking adj.
ΚΠ
1787 P. Freneau Journey from Philadelphia 9 A youngster was order'd to hold himself ready, A sly looking lad that was 'prentice to Snip.
1945 ‘G. Orwell’ Animal Farm vi. 47 He was a sly-looking little man.
sly-tongued adj.
ΚΠ
c1730 A. Ramsay Fox & Rat in Fables & Tales 30 Dragon, lord chief treasurer, must pay To sly-tongu'd Fleechy.
C2. † sly-cap n. Obsolete a sly or cunning person.
sly bread n.
ΚΠ
a1887 Cassell's Dict. Cookery (at cited word) Sly Bread, or Bread Fritters (an economical..sweet dish).
sly-bream n.
ΚΠ
1854 R. Owen Struct. Skeleton & Teeth in Orr's Circle Sci.: Org. Nature I. 181 The sly-bream (Sparus insidiator of Pallas).
sly-cake n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > cake > [noun] > a cake > other cakes
honey appleeOE
barley-cake1393
seed cakea1400
cake?a1425
pudding-cake?1553
manchet1562
biscuit cake1593
placent1598
poplin1600
jumbal1615
bread pudding1623
semel1643
wine-cakea1661
Shrewsbury cake1670
curd cake1675
fruitcake1687
clap-bread1691
simnel cake1699
orange-flower cake1718
banana cake1726
sweet-cake1726
torte1748
Naples cake1766
Bath cake1769
gofer1769
yeast-cake1795
nutcake1801
tipsy-cake1806
cruller1808
baba1813
lady's finger1818
coconut cake1824
mint cake1825
sices1825
cup-cake1828
batter-cake1830
buckwheat1830
Dundee seed cake1833
fat-cake1839
babka1846
wonder1848
popover1850
cream-cake1855
sly-cake1855
dripping-cake1857
lard-cake1858
puffet1860
quick cake1865
barnbrack1867
matrimony cake1871
brioche1873
Nelson cake1877
cocoa cake1883
sesame cake1883
marinade1888
mystery1889
oblietjie1890
stuffed monkey1892
Greek bread1893
Battenberg1903
Oswego cake1907
nusstorte1911
dump cake1912
Dobos Torte1915
lekach1918
buckle1935
Florentine1936
hash cake1967
space cake1984
1855 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Yorks. Words 159 Sly-cakes, tea-cakes plain and uninviting on the outside, but when eaten are found full of currants and richness within. They are also called Cheats.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [noun] > cunning person
foxc1000
yepea1250
slies1297
wily-man1393
wilyc1400
sneck-drawer1402
piea1425
wily-piec1450
artificera1500
tod?a1513
Sim Subtlea1529
serpentinea1533
prata1542
wily beguile1550
wily-wat?1550
elfa1556
dog fox1609
saccularian1652
sly-cap1681
sly-boots1699
craftsmaster1717
scunge1824
sleeveen1834
chickaleary1869
sneck-draw1886
rusée1889
slypuss1942
1681 T. Otway Souldiers Fortune iv. i. 43 Ah Villain! Ah sly Cap! have I caught you..?
slypuss n. [puss n.1 3b] a cunning or deceitful girl, a minx.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [noun] > cunning person
foxc1000
yepea1250
slies1297
wily-man1393
wilyc1400
sneck-drawer1402
piea1425
wily-piec1450
artificera1500
tod?a1513
Sim Subtlea1529
serpentinea1533
prata1542
wily beguile1550
wily-wat?1550
elfa1556
dog fox1609
saccularian1652
sly-cap1681
sly-boots1699
craftsmaster1717
scunge1824
sleeveen1834
chickaleary1869
sneck-draw1886
rusée1889
slypuss1942
1942 A. Christie Body in Libr. ix. 85 That half-baked nitwitted little slypuss.
slypussness n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [noun]
listOE
wiþercraftc1175
wilta1230
craftc1275
sleightc1275
engine?a1300
quaintisec1300
vaidiec1325
wilec1374
cautelc1375
sophistryc1385
quaintnessc1390
voisdie1390
havilon?a1400
foxeryc1400
subtletyc1400
undercraftc1400
practic?a1439
callidityc1450
policec1450
wilinessc1450
craftiness1484
gin1543
cautility1554
cunning1582
cautelousness1584
panurgy1586
policy1587
foxshipa1616
cunningnessa1625
subdolousness1635
dexterity1656
insidiousnessa1677
versuteness1685
pawkiness1687
sleight-hand1792
pawkery1820
vulpinism1851
downiness1865
foxiness1875
slimness1899
slypussness1908
1908 W. De Morgan Somehow Good ix. 79 Laetitia, whose speech..appeared to impute insight, or penetration, or sly-pussness..to her young friend.
sly silurus n. (see quots.).
ΚΠ
1836 W. Yarrell Hist. Brit. Fishes I. 403 The Sly Silurus, Silurus glanis.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
slyv.
/slʌɪ/, U.S. /slaɪ/, Scottish English /slaɪ/ Scottish and U.S.
intransitive. To move, go, etc., in a sly or stealthy manner; to slip unobserved; to slink. For other Scottish dialect senses, see Jamieson's Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. s.vv. Slee and Sly.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > stealthy action, stealth > stealthy movement > move stealthily [verb (intransitive)]
besteala725
snikec897
steal1154
creepc1175
skulk?c1225
snaker?c1225
stalkc1300
slenchc1330
lurka1375
slinkc1374
snokec1380
slide1382
slipc1400
mitchera1575
sneak1598
snake1818
sly1825
snoop1832
to steal one's way1847
sniggle1881
gumshoe1897
slime1898
pussyfoot1902
soft-foot1913
cat-foot1916
pussy1919
pussa1953
1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. To Sly, to go or approach silently and slily.
1845 S. Judd Margaret i. xii. 76 She would creep from her room and sly into the street.
1888 Advance (Chicago) 6 Dec. Nobody noticed Caddie slying along to the desk where the teacher had laid the switch.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.adv.n.c1175
v.1825