† sleightlyadj.
Obsolete. rare.
Crafty, cunning, subtle.
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
c1402 J. Lydgate Compl. Black Knight 255 And tonges false, through hir sleightly wile, Han gon a werre that will not stinted be.
1533 J. Frith Mirror Baptism in Wks. (1572) 97 Perceyue you not yet that they would keepe you in darcknes because you shoulde not espye theyr priuy practice and sleightly conueyaunce.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
† sleightlyadv.
Obsolete.
1. With craft, cunning, or artifice; craftily, subtly.
ΘΚΠ
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
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 7809 To come sleightly he scholde fonde, & litel folk wyþ hym brynge to londe.
a1400–50 Alexander 2870 Þen slode he slyghtly away when he fra slepe rysys.
1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. Col. ii. f. viv Beware therfore, lest any man..falsly and sleyghtly deceyue you of that reward.
1570 J. Foxe Actes & Monumentes (rev. ed.) II. 946/1 So subtlely & sleightly these Catholicque prelates did vse their inquisitions.
1604 T. Wright Passions of Minde (new ed.) iii. iii. 91 If thy enemies would bee reuenged of thee, no fitter meanes they might sleightly use, than [etc.]
1626 in J. Rushworth Hist. Coll. (1659) 281 Certainly the Earl hath not been sleightly deceived.
2. With ready skill, dexterity, or adroitness; by sleight of hand; adroitly, dexterously.
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
?c1510 tr. Newe Landes & People founde by Kynge of Portyngale sig. Bi They do all there thynges all sleyghtly.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. l This spere was massy tymber & yet for al that he..slightely auoyded it to hys great honour.
1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. (1586) iii. 126 Prouided it be done so slightly, and so discreetlie, that the artificial dealing be not seene.
1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. ⁋13 The father of their Church, who gladly would heale the soare of the daughter of his people softly and sleightly.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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adj.c1402adv.c1330