sliverlyadj.
dialect. rare.
Crafty, deceitful.
ΘΚΠ
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
1674 J. Ray N. Countrey Words in Coll. Eng. Words A sliverly fellow, vir subdolus, vafer. [Hence in Grose, etc.]
1877 E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincs. 228/2 He's a real down sliverly chap.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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adj.1674