trulyadj.
/ˈtruːli/, U.S. /ˈtruli/ΚΠ
lOE Distichs of Cato (Trin. Cambr.) lxiii, in Anglia (1972) 90 13 Ongin þæt þe to onhagige, for treowlicre is be stæðe to rowenne þonne ut on sæ to seglianne.
c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Otho) (1963) l. 5936 And wel he makede his castles treuliche and faste [c1275 Calig. treowe & swiðe uæste].
c1450 (a1400) Libeaus Desconus (Calig. A.ii) (1969) l. 1968 He ran..For-to cleue hys brayn, Þer-of he was sertayn And trewly was hys tryst.
a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) II. 827 As the boke makyth truly mencyon, he had the bettir of all the fyve hondred knyghtes.
2. Originally Scottish (U.S. in later use). Of a story, esp. one for children: (claimed or believed to be) based on real circumstances or events; true. Cf. true adj. 4. Now rare.Chiefly in representations of children's speech or in allusion to it.
ΚΠ
1808 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Trulie, true, not fictitious. A trulie story. S.B.
1879 L. M. Alcott Let. 17 Sept. in E. D. Cheney L. M. Alcott (1889) x. 252 Jack and Jill are right out of our own circle..; so it will be a ‘truly story’ in the main.
1902 A. F. Brown Pocketful of Posies 142 She never, never fails To tell me wondrous ‘truly’ tales.
1923 St. Nicholas Nov. i. 98 This is a truly story, is n't it, Daddy?
1931 Chicago Sunday Tribune 27 Sept. vi. 8/1 You may say, ‘Now, tell me something that truly happened today,’ which makes the distinction clear. After doing this for a while you will be able to ask when you think a check is needed, ‘Is that a make-believe story or a truly story?’
2000 B. A. Mann Iroquoian Women 30 [Amongst Ohio League peoples] there are ‘truly’ tales and ‘walking’ tales. Truly tales are historical.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, December 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
trulyadv.int.n.
/ˈtruːli/, U.S. /ˈtruli/ A. adv. (and int.) In a true manner (in various senses of the adjective).† 5. Honestly, honourably, with integrity. Chiefly with verbs of getting, dealing, etc. Obsolete.
1. † a. Confidently, assuredly; with steadfast faith or assurance. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > [adverb]
trulyOE
boldlyc1175
sickerlyc1275
tristly1340
redelya1375
redilya1375
surelyc1380
tristilyc1380
certainc1384
faithfullyc1384
trustilyc1390
certainlya1400
trustlya1400
undoubtinglyc1400
absolutely?a1425
positivelyc1443
assuredly1508
traist1508
traistfully1508
crousea1525
constantlya1538
resolutely1540
suredly1551
trestly1568
cocksure1579
resolvedly1610
assurantly1619
emphatically1629
decretorily1660
convincedly1812
unmisgivingly1842
solid1937
OE St. Margaret (Tiber.) (1994) 112 Ealle þa þe on hine [sc. Christ] trywlice gelæfaþ he gehærþ.
lOE Canterbury Psalter: Canticles xv. 42 Haec est fides catholica quam nisi quisque fideliter firmiterque crediderit salvus esse non poterit : þis his ðe hilæua himeane ðe hwilc mann ne hileaueð festlice & treowlice ne meagen heo hiborhgen beon.
c1225 (?c1200) St. Juliana (Bodl.) l. 48 (MED) Ha trewliche him truste on.
c1330 (?c1300) Speculum Guy (Auch.) (1898) l. 208 Þu shalt bileue also And treuliche in þin herte do, Þat god had neuere biginning Ne neuere ne shal haue ending.
?a1425 tr. Catherine of Siena Orcherd of Syon (Harl.) (1966) 332 (MED) I am ȝoure God..fulfiller of ȝoure holy desyres, so þat I myȝte fynde..sich oon þat truly knockeþ wiþ þe liȝt of feiþ at þe gate of my sooþfastnesse.
c1480 (a1400) St. Peter 485 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 21 Gyf he liffis, he ma spek, and ga,..and gyf he na may, trewis trewly þat ȝe se is all fantassy.
a1500 (?a1425) Antichrist (Peniarth) in R. M. Lumiansky & D. Mills Chester Myst. Cycle (1974) I. App. 500 (MED) Be true and stydfast aye, and levys trulye on my laye.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. cciiv Trustynge truely that all thynges were at a good poynt.
1612 J. Panke tr. Pope Leo I in Eclogarius 54 You..do religiously & truely beleeue that it wilbe profitable for the strength of your kingdome, if there be no difference in opinion amongst the priests.
1701 T. Morer Κυριακη Ὴμερα 570/1 Most Blessed Redeemer, I do truly believe that thy Body was Crucified.
b. Loyally, faithfully, constantly; with steadfast allegiance. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > faithfulness or trustworthiness > fidelity or loyalty > [adverb]
holdec1000
holdelyc1050
trulya1250
truec1300
faithlyc1350
faithfullya1382
leallyc1394
fayfully?a1400
leala1400
lawfullyc1500
faithful1539
loyallement?1549
loyally1572
devotiously1621
devotedly1812
a1250 (?c1200) Sawles Warde (Titus) (1938) 25 (MED) Al þat hird..turneð ham treweliche to wit, hare lauerd.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 9980 Alle heo sworen þene að. trouliche [c1300 Otho treuliche] þat heo wolden mid Arðure halden.
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 2070 Conan..bihet him to serui triweliche.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 81 Qua truly [Gött. treuli, Trin. Cambr. trewely] loues þis lemman, þis es þe loue bes neuer gan.
c1450 (c1425) Brut (Cambr. Kk.1.12) 350 Alle þe conauntes..schulde be trewly kept.
a1500 tr. A. Chartier Traité de l'Esperance (Rawl.) (1974) 12 (MED) Thou woldist do trewely for the comon wele.
1511 H. Watson tr. Noble Hist. King Ponthus (new ed.) sig. Qv She praysed hym the more that he had kepte truly his fyrst loue.
1563 N. Winȝet Certain Tractates (1888) I. 121 The haill Kirk of God, professing trewlie Christ Iesus.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) iii. v. 112 What villainy soere I bid thee do to performe it, directly and truely, I would thinke thee an honest man. View more context for this quotation
1640 R. Howard Sacred Poeme 19 May our lord preserue Al these poore soules, which him would trulye serue, From Satan and his sleights.
1713 E. Ward Hist. Grand Rebellion II. 302 Like a true Subject with his Sov'reign went To York, and left the furious Parliament, Remaining truly fix'd, and always free To serve him with unstain'd Fidelity.
1813 J. Wood Dict. Holy Bible (new ed.) II. 284/2 Every one who truly followed him in the midst of persecutions, should enjoy fellowship with him.
1852 M. Arnold Empedocles on Etna, & Other Poems 206 An impulse..To the words, ‘Hope, Light, Persistence’, Strongly stirs and truly burns.
1906 T. Hodgkin Hist. Eng. from Earliest Times to Norman Conquest vi. 105 By this means the king shall be more truly served and informed.
2003 Brentwood Gaz. (Nexis) 23 Jan. 2 He has served truly..for 20 years.
2.
a. Genuinely, really; actually; sincerely, unfeignedly.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > foundation in fact, validity > [adverb] > truly, genuinely
trulyc1225
truea1400
veritably1481
veritable1490
authentically1593
indeeda1616
genuinely1640
real1645
unpretendingly1701
honest to God1892
c1225 (?c1200) St. Margaret (Bodl.) (1934) 32 (MED) Ich leote..þet eiðer of his ahne, & of þe oðres ba, treowliche beo trusti.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) iv. l. 1649 (MED) Me thenketh trewely That every man doth mor than I.
?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 109 (MED) Akyng forsoþ in þe gutte is cesed on 2 manerez: veraily or trwly with euaporatyuez said aboue, & palliatyuely [?c1425 Paris hydyngly; L. palliatiue] with narcotic.
?c1430 (c1383) J. Wyclif Eng. Wks. (1880) 5 Men þat trewly dispisen synne.
a1475 Sidrak & Bokkus (Lansd.) (1999) II. l. 11798 Synne..for he made it not, soþely It is noght in substaunce truly.
1529 tr. Erasmus Exhort. Studye Script. To Rdr. sig. A.jv He taught and exhorted all men to..applye their soules to the contemplacyon of those thinges, whiche truly are immortall.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) v. iv. 76 I doe as truely suffer, As ere I did commit. View more context for this quotation
1682 J. Norris tr. Hierocles Golden Verses 35 So may we learn to know what we ourselves truly are.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 79. ⁋9 A Mind truly virtuous.
1802 W. Somerville Jrnl. 11 Mar. in Narr. Journeys Eastern Cape Frontier (1979) v. 183 The circumstances they related of the oppression and tyranny of the Wagtmeesters are truly shocking.
1874 J. L. Motley Life John of Barneveld II. xviii. 276 Nothing could be more truly respectable.
1908 E. Fowler Between Trent & Ancholme 231 She truly believed..that he [sc. her donkey] liked the thistles best.
1958 A. Wilson Middle Age of Mrs Eliot ii. 271 It seemed impossible that she could truly be as euphoric as she seemed.
2006 Time Out N.Y. 13 July 129/3 W. Jeremy and Seth Kirby headline at this stanky party for folks who truly love house music.
b. Indeed, certainly, without doubt. In later use chiefly as int.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > [adverb] > assuredly, indeed
soothlyc825
forsoothc888
wiselyc888
sooth to sayOE
i-wislichec1000
to (‥) soothOE
iwis?c1160
certesa1250
without missa1275
i-witterlic1275
trulyc1275
aplight1297
certc1300
in (good) fayc1300
verily1303
certain1330
in truthc1330
to tell (also speak, say) the truthc1330
certainlya1375
faithlya1375
in faitha1375
surelya1375
in sooth1390
in trothc1390
in good faitha1393
to witc1400
faithfullyc1405
soothly to sayc1405
all righta1413
sad?a1425
in certc1440
wella1470
truec1480
to say (the) truth1484
of a truth1494
of (a) trotha1500
for a truth?1532
in (of) verity1533
of verityc1550
really1561
for, in, or into very?1565
indeed1583
really and truly1600
indeed and indeed1673
right enough1761
deed1816
just1838
of a verity1850
sho1893
though1905
verdad1928
sholy1929
ja-nee1937
only1975
deffo1996
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 10338 Bruttene leoden þene wude al bileien and an are halfe hine feolden..treo uppen oðer treo-liche faste.
c1330 (?c1300) Speculum Guy (Auch.) (1898) l. 610 (MED) He may be martyr, treweliche [a1400 Royal martrid treuly], Wid-oute sheding of mannes blod.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Coll. Phys.) l. 23952 Of hir trewlik es al mi tale.
c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 2094 ‘Bot treuly, ser,’ quod þe duke ‘gret tresore me thinke At Alexander þe athill’.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) iii. l. 268 Ane awfull chyftane trewly he is ane.
?1531 J. Frith Disput. Purgatorye i. sig. cv Trulye I wolde be loth to be one of youre debtoures, if you be so harde to youre creditours.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) i. i. 289 Truely I will not goe first: truely-la: I will not doe you that wrong. View more context for this quotation
1652 R. Brome Joviall Crew iii. sig. G4v Never in our lives trooly.
1741 S. Richardson Pamela III. xvii. 89 A pretty thing, truly! Here, I a poor helpless Girl, raised from Poverty and Distress,..shall put on Lady-Airs to a Gentlewoman born.
1781 W. Cowper Truth 521 Charge not a God with such outrageous wrong. Truly, not I.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth III. xvi. 337 ‘Is he dead?’ ‘Ay, truly is he.’
1869 J. Ruskin Queen of Air iii. §146 A wide freedom, truly!
1961 X. Herbert Soldiers' Women 109 Truly, dear, she's your friend.
2002 Times 24 July (T2 section) 11/6 Truly, whoever takes over the RSC has a Homeric task ahead.
3. In accordance with fact or reality; truthfully; correctly. Chiefly with verbs of saying or speaking.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > [adverb]
mid or with (‥) soothc888
soothfastlya890
soothfastc950
rightOE
yeaOE
soothlyOE
soothOE
trulyc1225
soothrightc1275
purec1300
verament1303
verily1303
purelyc1325
verimentc1325
indeedc1330
veirec1330
soothfully1340
faithlyc1350
of very (due) right?a1366
leallya1375
amenc1384
in soothnessc1386
verya1387
in certaina1400
truea1400
without(en) wougha1400
in veirec1400
in deedc1405
without famec1430
in veramentc1450
utterlyc1460
veritably1481
veritable1490
voirably1501
seriously1644
quite1736
quite1881
c1225 (?c1200) Sawles Warde (Bodl.) (1938) 10 (MED) Nu..forþi trowðe, treoweliche tele us hwuch is helle, & hwet tu hauest isehen þrin.
?a1350 Guy of Warwick (Wales 572) (1974) l. 2600 (MED) What ty[þ]yngis tels man of me?..Thu tel me soht treuelik.
a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Harl.) 2712 He ne shulde..ne for lefe, no for loþe, But trewly to swere hys oþe.
a1425 (?c1350) Ywain & Gawain (1964) l. 329 By þat well hinges a bacyne..With a cheyne, trewly to tell.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. ccxxviiiv The people thus instructed (or as I may trulier speake) deceiued.
1574 T. Tymme tr. J. de Serres Three Partes Comm. Ciuill Warres Fraunce ii. 129 Ye shall heare some profound disputation or other by Monkes: but ye shall heare no man that dare truely reply against them.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing i. i. 169 Tell mee truelie how thou lik'st her. View more context for this quotation
1671 W. Penn Truth Rescued ii. 18 [Words] truliest apply'd to Himself.
1737 Read's Weekly Jrnl. 18 June 1/2 An Historian must tell Things truly as they are, and leave the descanting on them to others.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. xvii. 176 An elegy that may truly be called tragical.
1829 W. Scott Guy Mannering (new ed.) Introd. p. xviii The fact, if truly reported, is one of those singular coincidences which occasionally appear.
1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues I. 85 Unable to decide which of you speaks truly.
1956 E. Bowen Day in Dark (1965) 17 He was glad of companionship, as I'd truly told her.
2007 Independent 16 Jan. 26/1 Such donations cannot be truly said to ‘offset’ pollution.
4. † c. Rightfully, legitimately. Obsolete.† d. In accordance with nature; naturally, realistically. Obsolete.
a. Rightly, justly, duly; as it ought to be, properly. Now rare except in well and truly at Phrases 1.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > dueness or propriety > [adverb]
rightlyeOE
arightc970
rightOE
properly?c1225
goodc1275
rightfully1340
truly1340
tallya1375
featlya1400
rekenlyc1400
communablya1425
fitc1440
accordantlyc1443
accordinglyc1443
justilyc1450
seemingly1483
fitlyc1550
conveniently1569
arightly1588
legitimately1593
fittinglya1643
legitimously1657
honest-like1807
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 79 (MED) Þe ilke to huam god heþ yyeue..graces and..guodes..god uor to serui and helpe his nixte, bote yef he hit ne vsy treueliche, he ssel by ine þe more gratter torment.
1417 in M. Sellers York Memorandum Bk. (1912) I. 182 Sufficiant recorde that he es wele and lely and treuly partyd fra thiens whare he come fra.
c1460 Tree & 12 Frutes (McClean) (1960) 53 (MED) Vertu..whan it comith in to þe soule..comith as in to his owne naturel place where he sitteth ful trewly and acordith well with þe soule.
1531 W. Tyndale Expos. 1 John (1537) ii. 29 Wyl ye therfore worship saintes truely?
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1895) II. 47 Quhen he saw [them]..as tha war worthie, treulie tormented.
a1647 T. Habington Surv. Worcs. (Worcs. Hist. Soc.) (1895) I. iii. 535 After whose deathe it [sc. some land] returned truely to the monastery.
1690 J. Locke Two Treat. Govt. i. viii. 105 Regal and Supream Power, is properly and truly his, who can by any means seize upon it.
1722 E. Gibson Camden's Britannia (ed. 2) II. 1453 The Lieutenant or any of the Council..shall..Deem the Law truly.
1849 J. Ruskin Seven Lamps Archit. Introd. 4 Every action..is capable of a peculiar dignity in the manner of it, which we sometimes express by saying it is truly done.
1877 Rep. Supreme Court Kansas 17 39 When it names a class or body of persons, it implies that the persons truly and rightfully belong to that class or body.
1963 G. Greene Sense of Reality 23 The foundations of the future Welfare State were being truly and uninterestingly laid.
b. In accordance with a standard, rule, or pattern; exactly, accurately, precisely, correctly.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adverb]
rightlyeOE
righteOE
evenOE
evenlya1225
redlyc1275
justicelya1375
justilya1375
justlya1375
redilya1375
trulya1375
properlya1382
precisec1392
preciselyc1392
truec1392
straitlya1395
leala1400
arightc1405
by linec1420
justlyc1425
featlya1450
rule-righta1450
to the letter?1495
exquisitely1526
evenliklya1530
very1530
absolutely1538
jump1539
just1568
accurately1581
punctually1581
jumplya1586
arights1596
just so1601
plumb1601
compassly1606
nicelya1616
squarely1626
justa1631
adequately1632
mathematicallya1638
critically1655
exquisitively1660
just1665
pointedly1667
faithfully1690
correctlya1704
jus1801
jest1815
jes1851
neat1875
cleanly1883
on the nose1883
smack-dab1892
spot on1920
forensically1974
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1949 Þe gomes of grece were alle to horse,..to rekkene þe numbre, treuli twenti þousand.
c1392 Equatorie of Planetis 24 (MED) Thanne shaltow se..yif thow haue trewely compased thy cercles, þt the poynt of thy renspindle shal haue towched the closere of the signes.
c1400 ( Canticum Creatione l. 1176 in C. Horstmann Sammlung Altengl. Legenden (1878) 138 Fro Moyses to Dauid kyng Fyue hondred & two [years]..To kounten riȝt trewely.
1486 Blasyng of Armys sig. ev, in Bk. St. Albans Trulier they shal be blasit on this wyse.
1535 G. Joye Apol. Tindale sig. C.iiiv Correcking a false copie..that thei mought be the trwelyer printed agen.
1551 R. Record Pathway to Knowl. Pref. sig. ζ.ivv If he kepe not the rules of Geometrie, he can not measure any ground truely.
1630 T. Dekker Second Pt. Honest Whore sig. E2 Neither your clocke nor mine does truely strike.
1696 W. Whiston New Theory of Earth ii. 117 The little Planets about Jupiter move in Orbits truly Circular.
1703 A. Sharp Let. 30 Jan. in J. Flamsteed Corr. (1997) II. 996 There will undoubtedly be four lines truly perpendicular to the Curve.
1787 T. Best Conc. Treat. Angling (ed. 2) 10 A long rod is..of more use..provided it is truly made.
1814 J. Playfair Outl. Nat. Philos. II. ii. vii. 323 This is quite independent of the figure of the Earth, and would be the same though the Earth were truly spherical.
1874 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. I. 593/2 To make the spindle run truly.
1921 L. Addicks Copper Refining ix. 154 The molds must be free of warp and set truly level.
1955 Law Times 12 May 4/1 To other sounds there may be added the pleasant one of a ball truly struck.
2005 Yoga Jrnl. Jan. 131/1 If you're truly aligned vertically in Headstand, you should be able to..relax the muscles of the lower back.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal right > [adverb]
truly1376
rightfully?a1439
righteously1450
righta1500
fairly1540
de jure1611
1376 in L. Morsbach Mittelengl. Originalurkunden (1923) 2 Of..Roger and marione com Roberd treweliche by-gete in spoushod and also..twey douteres bastardes.
1456 in Ld. Campbell Lives Lord Chancellors (1845) I. 373 The right and title of the reuersion of the said Manour, is now clerely, trewly, and lawefully in the said Sir John.
c1475 (a1449) J. Lydgate Minor Poems (1934) ii. 537 Felyce..ordeyned..Hir sone Reynborne..Heyr trewly born by lyneal dyscent, In the Erldam of Warwyk to succede.
1567 J. Maplet Greene Forest iii. f. 84 Those that haue constant and stedfast looke..he holdeth legitimate and truly begotten.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) v. ii. 26 To giue Obedience, where 'tis truly ow'd. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iii. ii. 134 His innocent Babe truly begotten. View more context for this quotation
1688 P. Rycaut tr. G. de la Vega Royal Comm. Peru ix. xxxvi. 403 Atahualpa..wanted all the qualifications which might render him truly and legitimately an Inca; for he was..the Son onely of a Whore.
?1781 J. Trusler Conc. View Common & Statute Law Eng. i. iii. 35 The present King..is truly descended from the ancient Saxon kings.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > [adverb] > in a natural way
truly?a1425
unwrestedly1615
?a1425 (a1415) Lanterne of Liȝt (Harl.) (1917) 85 Þou schalt not worschip hem [sc. images] wiþ no godli worschip, but þat þei be treweli peyntid, as nyȝ as man may, to brynge to mynde..þe passioun of Iesu Crist.
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iii. iv. 47 If you will see a pageant truely plaid. View more context for this quotation
1690 F. Atterbury in 2nd Pt. Mr. Waller's Poems Pref. sig. A5 Some Painters will..master strokes of a Face so truly, that through all the differences of Age, the Picture shall still bear a Resemblance.
1796 Sporting Mag. Jan. 172/2 Adela is a chaste portraiture of an elegant lady and an impassioned lover,..truly drawn by Mrs. Pope.
1884 R. W. Church Bacon ix. 219 A sketch so truly and forcibly drawn.
1927 Gastonia (N. Carolina) Daily Gaz. 15 Feb. 7/1 Here are twelve pictures, warts and all, as truly drawn as can be drawn by one who must continue to work and live as a newspaperman in Washington.
e. Without cross-breeding; without variation in one or more desired or characteristic traits.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > domestic animal > [adverb] > purely bred
truly1650
true1803
the world > life > biology > biological processes > genetic activity > heredity or hereditary descent > [adjective] > descent from common ancestor
pure1569
truly1650
thoroughbred1719
thorough-blood1774
monogeneous1857
genetic1860
monogenous1866
homogenetic1870
homogenetical1870
homogenous1870
monophyletic1874
clean-bred1882
homodemic1883
homophylic1883
homosystemic1883
line-bred1891
synepigonic1904
cladistic1960
the world > life > biology > biological processes > genetic activity > heredity or hereditary descent > [adverb] > breed true
truly1650
true1803
1650 I. Ambrose Ultima 108 Then, you are right birds, truly bred, and not of the bastard brood.
1729 R. Bradley Gentleman & Farmer's Guide iv. 264 One Horse truly bred of any particular Country may be swifter than another.
1799 London Packet 23 Dec. A remarkable instance of the ferocious obstinacy of what is termed the truly-bred bull-dog, was witnessed at Carlisle on Saturday last.
1842 Penny Cycl. XXIII. 214/1 The truly-bred Suffolk horses are active in their walk... They step out well.
1859 C. Darwin Origin of Species i. 17 The greyhound, bloodhound,..and bull-dog.., which we all know propagate their kind so truly.
1912 Amer. Bee Jrnl. Mar. 83/2 It would be easy to have several generations of pure-bloods, and thus solve the problem of breeding truly.
1946 Pampa (Texas) News 14 Aug. 12/2 A truly-bred quarter horse will have these qualities to some definite degree.
2006 M. Elsinor Derry Horses in Society i. 12 The ability to breed truly came to be seen as a better indication of the degree of purity within a breed.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > honourableness > [adverb]
truec1300
truly1387
honourablyc1390
honourable?a1425
honestly1526
manfully1579
1387 in J. D. Marwick Charters Edinb. (1871) 35 The forsayde masounys doand thair craft tyl that werk trewly withoutyn fraude as trew men aw to do.
c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. i. l. 155 Bote ȝe liuen trewely and eke loue þe pore, And such good as God sent Treweliche parten.
1456 in C. Innes Registrum de Dunfermelyn (1842) 340 To gife and to pay lelly and treuly but fraude or gille a hundreth pundis.
c1475 tr. A. Chartier Quadrilogue (Univ. Coll. Oxf.) (1974) 167 (MED) I dye for defaute..of the good that I haue truly gotyn.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 358 I holde with them that deale trewly.
1570 J. Foxe Actes & Monumentes (rev. ed.) II. 2249/2 I am a poore woman and do liue by my hands, gettyng a peny truly.
1624 J. Norden Godlie Mans Guide to Happinesse 138 Happy therefore is he, that labou[r]s in his calling diligently, deales truely, craues Gods blessing faithfully.
1660 T. Fuller Mixt Contempl. i. xiii. 21 What is truly gotten, may be comfortably kept. What is otherwise, may be possessed, but not enjoyed.
1705 G. Stanhope Paraphr. Epist. & Gospels II. 37 Our Living must be got, but got truly, that is, justly and honestly.
1772 T. Nugent tr. J. F. de Isla Hist. Friar Gerund II. v. i. 230 Why should it be one [sc. a falsity] to give a testimony of a thing not seen or heard, in the good faith that he deals truly who assures me he has seen or heard it?
1860 H. Cradock Hulse House xvii. 161 Had he dealt truly and honestly by her, and by her son, her own dear George?
1905 H. C. Vedder B. Hübmaier iii. 76 He had conducted himself always so truly and honourably at Waldshut that they could believe no such thing of him.
1. colloquial. In oaths and asseverations emphasizing the truth of a statement, as by (upon) my truly, in (good) truly and variants: on my word of honour, assuredly. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > malediction > oaths > [interjection] > oaths other than religious or obscene
loOE
spi?c1225
how mischance——?c1330
with mischance!c1330
by my hoodc1374
by my sheath1532
by the mouse-foot1550
what the (also a) goodyear1570
bread and salt1575
by Jove1575
in (good) truly1576
by these hilts1598
by the Lord Harry1693
by the pody cody1693
by jingo!1694
splutter1707
by jing!1786
I snore1790
declare1811
by the hokey1825
shiver my timbers1834
by the (great) horn spoon1842
upon my Sam1879
for goodness' sake1885
yerra1892
for the love of Mike1896
by the hokey fiddle1922
knickers1971
1576 G. Pettie Petite Pallace 71 Here in truly thou mayst bee fitly resembled to the Cat, whiche playeth with the Mouse, whom straight shee meaneth to slay.
1580 G. Harvey Two Other Lett. in Wks. (1884) I. 42 By my truely, I was neuer so scared in my lyfe.
1607 T. Dekker & J. Webster West-ward Hoe ii. i. sig. C Haue you a new pen for me, Master? for by my truly, my old one is stark naught.
1672 W. Wycherley Love in Wood i. i. 1 Patience,..'tis a necessary virtue for a widow without a jointure, in truly.
1697 J. Vanbrugh Relapse v. 101 Why in good truly, as a Body may say, he is but a slam.
1715 S. Centlivre Gotham Election 36 Lady Cou'd you find in your Heart, Gooddy Shallow, to deny this Gentleman any Thing..? G. Shal. No, by my truly, I think I cou'd not.
1795 A. Hughes Jemima I. 110 Part, repeated Rosina, yes, by my truly must we.
1835 J. Hogg Tales Wars Montrose III. 95 ‘My permission!’ exclaimed Pringle; ‘my trulys, my woman, ye's hae my permission.’
1916 L. N. Parker Mavourneen iii. 166 By my truly, I think you'll drive me mad.
2. Perhaps: a person who uses the word ‘truly’ in asseverations. Obsolete. rare.
ΚΠ
1594 T. Nashe Vnfortunate Traveller sig. G2v Hee..was one of those trecherous brother Trulies, and abused vs most clarkly.
Phrases
P1. well and truly: completely, properly, entirely; in all respects, thoroughly.In later use chiefly used for emphasis.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > dueness or propriety > [phrase]
on (also upon) righteOE
by (good, etc.) rightc1330
to rightsc1330
well and truly1348
of very (due) right?a1366
to righta1382
at right1487
in one's way1691
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > completely [phrase] > thoroughly
well-a-finec1330
well and truly1348
well and finec1430
of all four sides1490
à fond1813
all to splinters1884
1348 in C. Welch Hist. Pewterers of London (1902) I. 5 (MED) Ye schull kepe to ȝowre powere well and trewly all the good rewlys of peutreres Crafte which ben enrolled in the Guyld halle of london.
1439 in Archaeologia (1827) 21 35 The whiche vijM. markes shal wel & truly be repayed unto ye seid Cardynal..at ye feste of Estre.
1458 J. Jernyngan in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 341 There was not so gret a batayle vpon þe se þis xl wyntyr; and for sothe we were wele and trewly bette.
?1476 W. Caxton Advt. for Sarum Pie (single sheet) The forme of this present lettre whiche ben wel and truly correct.
1521 B. Anslay tr. C. de Pisan Bk. Cyte of Ladyes i. xiii. sig. Eeiii He shall rewarde them that well and truely maynteyneth hym.
1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. i. f. 32v Men of vile condition, and of no valour, and who often like slaues are well and truely beaten for their scurrilous and broade iesting.
1641 J. Layer Office & Dutie Constables 5 You shall swear well and truly to serve our Sovereigne Lord the King in the office of a Constable.
1659 E. Leigh Eng. Descr. 168 For multitude of Inhabitants, for fair and stately Buildings, it may well and truly challenge the preheminence of all this Province.
1760 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy I. xv. 82 The said intended marriage..to be well and truly solemnized and consummated.
1837 W. H. Ainsworth Crichton II. ii. ii. 55 Well and truly hath your faithful follower, the Baron de Rosni, spoken.
1886 16th Ann. Rep. Board Educ. Rhode Island 83 The teacher should be well and truly prepared for the great and arduous work of instructing the pupil.
1948 G. V. Galwey Lift & Drop iv. 72 I am—well and truly married.
1973 Guardian 16 Feb. 13/8 British Brussels is well and truly split on the issue of the TUC's participation in Europe.
2006 G. Pretor-Pinney Cloudspotter's Guide i. 43 What started as a light-hearted tiff between lovers has well and truly got out of hand.
P2. yours truly (cf. yours pron. 4).
a. Used formulaically to end a (now usually formal) letter; also truly yours and variants.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > correspondence > letter > letter or note [phrase] > concluding phrases
your (affectionate, very, etc.) friend1454
aggradation1533
Yours ever1564
yours faithfully1564
I (will) remain1600
pro bono publico1640
sincerely1702
regards1775
yours respectfully?1777
yours truly1788
a1631 J. Donne Lett. (1651) 31 Yours very truely and affectionately J. Donne.
1638 R. Baker tr. J. L. G. de Balzac New Epist. II. 15 And with this I solemnely assure you that I truely am, Sir. Your, &c.
1642 L. Anderton Eng. Nunne 145 Yours truly most dutifull, and Obedient Daughters, Cælia, Cosmophila.
1751 London Evening-Post 7 Mar. Yours truly, Tom Tar.
1788 R. Burns Let. 24 Feb. (2001) I. 245 Believe me to be ever My dear Sir, your most truly, Robt Burns.
1817 W. Scott Let. 14 Sept. (1933) IV. 512 Yours truly, W. S.
1893 Let. 13 Jan. in Water & Sewage Wks. 6 (1894) 28/1 I have received your journal for some two years and..shall continue to read it. Truly yours, M. B. Haynes.
1948 Pop. Sci. Monthly Jan. 21/2 (advt.) My employer will tell you I've done a good job. Yours truly, P. Packard.
2001 R. Belben Hound Music (2002) iv. 193 Trusting you are as ever brave, I remain, Yours truly, Chas. Titball.
b. Used humorously to refer to oneself.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > [noun] > individuality or selfhood > self > I > me
meeOE
my worshipa1500
moi1760
your humble1765
us1828
yours truly1833
1833 C. Dickens Let. ?Oct. (1965) I. 31 Pray give my love to Letitia; ‘accept the same from yours truly’ as schoolboys say.
1848 W. M. Thackeray Pendennis (1850) I. iii. 31 Give the young one a glass,..and score it up to yours truly.
1889 K. Munroe Golden Days 26 Are you willing to work in cahoots with yours truly?
1951 S. Plath Jrnl. Mar. (2000) 52 Yours truly sat on the bottom of the bed..wanting to be loved.
1993 Photo Answers Jan. 65/1 He agitatedly darts through heavy London traffic, kindly taking yours truly to the station.
2012 Daily Tel. 5 July 23/1 Most of the crowd, including, it must be said, yours truly, looked about as mobile as the Terracotta Army.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.lOE
adv.int.n.OE- interungular
- interungulate
- interunion
- interunions
- interuniversity
- interurban
- interurbans
- interureteral
- interuteroplacental
- intervacuum
- interval
- interval distance
- interval issue
- interval land
- interval man
- interval music
- interval of time
- interval prose
- interval running
- interval signal
- interval time
- interval training
- interval way
- intervale
- intervaled