weaklyadj.

Brit.

/ˈwiːkli/, U.S.

/ˈwikli/

Etymology: < weak adj. + -ly suffix¹.

a. Weak in constitution, not strong or robust, delicate.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > [adjective] > in state of ill health or diseased > weak > of constitution

neshOE

tender?c1225

softa1387

delicatea1398

nicec1450

slendera1500

weak?1523

dainty1562

fine1562

cockney1573

weakly1577

dough-baked1592

lax1732

flimsy1742

lax-fibred1762

doughy1763

dauncy1846

fragile1858

slim1877

chétif1908

1577 H. I. tr. H. Bullinger 50 Godlie Serm. I. ii. viii. sig. N.vi/2 Not to suppresse such a fellowe as this, is to put a sword in a madde mans hand, to kill vnwise and weakelie men.

1582 T. Watson Ἑκατομπαθία: Passionate Cent. Loue xcii Litle of stature, and in apparence weakelie.

1678 W. Mountagu in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 329 Anne Coke is brought to bed of a son,..a very weakly one.

1684 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 2nd Pt. 158 Neither objected he against my weakly Looks, nor against my feeble Mind.

1753 J. Collier Art Tormenting (1811) ii. iv. 171 Hermia is far from being of a weakly constitution.

1832 H. Martineau Manch. Strike (ed. 2) III. ix. 103 The more weakly of the labourers lie down and die.

1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. xii. 133 From the weakly habit of the patient,..he thought it advisable to let her have some weak chicken broth and light negus.

1877 E. R. Conder Basis of Faith v. 225 The swiftest hare may be run down by the dogs, weaklier ones meanwhile lurking in safe covert.

1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VII. 857 In weakly children the syrup of the phosphate of iron..is of advantage.

absolute.1621 T. Granger Familiar Expos. Eccles. i. 3. 6 The sicke and weakly, thinketh the strong and healthfull happy.1848 E. C. Gaskell Mary Barton I. viii. 140 She, the weakly, was left behind while the strong man was taken.1866 C. Kingsley Hereward the Wake I. Prel. 2 In the civilised state..the weakliest and the silliest..have their chance likewise.

b. of a plant, tree, etc.

ΘΚΠ

the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by poor growth > [adjective] > growing poorly or withering

feyOE

withering1599

weak1600

misliking1601

unfirm1616

languishing1683

sickly1697

marcescent1727

weakly1775

miffy1850

wilting1884

1775 J. Tait Land of Liberty ii. xxxv. 47 She cuts him off like some poor weakly flow'r.

1842 J. C. Loudon Suburban Horticulturist 364 It would be ridiculous to lay the same quantity of wood into a weakly tree as into a tree in full vigour.

1887 Field 15 Oct. 603/2 A weakly grower [sc. a rose-tree].

2. Characterized by moral weakness.

ΚΠ

1890 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Colonial Reformer III. xxiv. 1 Of no avail are weakly condolences or mild assenting pity.

1900 Month Aug. 135 A sort of cruel kindness and weakly indulgence.

3. Of a laugh: Feeble, faint, half-hearted.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > [adjective] > feeble (of laughter)

weakly1883

1883 R. Broughton Belinda II. iii. iii. 206 ‘Are they?’ she says, with a weakly laugh.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online December 2021).

weaklyadv.

Brit.

/ˈwiːkli/, U.S.

/ˈwikli/

Etymology: < weak adj. + -ly suffix².

In a weak manner.

a. With little energy, force, or strength; †with gentle action, softly (obsolete).

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily weakness > [adverb]

faintlyc1320

weakly1398

unthendelyc1440

lankly1611

flaggingly1693

strengthlessly1820

punily1827

nervelessly1836

flaccidly1847

limply1869

the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [adverb] > without harshness or gently

lightlyeOE

neshlyeOE

fairOE

neshc1175

softlyc1225

softa1325

hoolya1340

tenderlyc1385

soft and fair(ly)c1391

weakly1398

delicately?a1425

prettilyc1500

gently1533

gentle1548

breathingly1662

blandly1827

sparingly1863

piano1873

gauzily1903

creamily1948

the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [adverb] > without force or vigour

slacklyc960

feeblyc1330

remissly?a1425

faintlyc1440

weakly1526

punily1555

forcelessly1611

unvigorously1641

feeble1834

validless1866

1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) xii. xxvii. 429 A kite is weke in flyghte and in strengthe and is callyd Miluus as it were weekely fleenge [L. molliter volans].

?a1400 Morte Arth. 697 Waynour waykly wepande hym kyssiz.

1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. GGGiii By more easy meanes commeth to perfection, whiche they slowly & weakely or fayntly desyre.

1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique iii. ix. 441 For the yong plant which can attract & draw but weakly, & at hand any substance for it selfe, will hardly [etc.].

a1626 F. Bacon Sylva Sylvarum (1627) §33 It is very probable that the Motion of Grauitie worketh weakly, both farre from the Earth, and also within the Earth.

1641 J. Symonds Serm. Westminster sig. Biiij^v An arrow weakly shot, will fall short of the mark.

1657 R. Baxter Acct. Present Thoughts 12 Grace may act weaklier than it did before.

1715 J. T. Desaguliers tr. N. Gauger Fires Improv'd 11 Upon account of their distance from the Fire, they are but very weakly reflected.

1876 T. L. Papillon Man. Compar. Philol. 69 Final m [in Latin]..must have been weakly pronounced.

b. In a weak or enfeebled condition. Also transferred.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > [adverb] > in a weak manner or condition

weakly1470

languishingly1579

languidly1759

groggily1896

punily1906

1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xix. xii. 794 Thenne the wounded knyghte syr Vrre sette hym vp weykely.

1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xl. 202 In his hand he hadde A croked staffe; he wente full wekely.

c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 10151 Philmen..the gome hit,..gert hym to stoupe, Þat he wauerit þerwith, & weikly he sete.

1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. i. sig. N5^v As one out of a deadly dreame affright, She weakely started, yet she nothing drad.

1606 Sir E. Coke in True & Perf. Relation T 3 b This paper of his Retractation, which hee had weakely and dyingly subscribed.

1844 E. B. Browning Lost Bower lxix By this couch I weakly lie on, While I count my memories.

†2.

a. Insecurely, unsubstantially. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > unreliability > [adverb] > weakly, unsteadily

tealtea1023

weakly1517

unsubstantially1529

tickly1530

tickle1606

infirmly1615

precariously1658

1517 R. Foxe Let. 30 Apr. (1929) 95 Also, my lord, I haue not soo sklenderly buyldyd my selue, nor soo weykly estableshed my house in thies parties, that I can honestely or conuenyently so sodenly depart hens.

1665 T. Herbert Some Years Trav. (new ed.) 123 That supposition is but weakly founded, at least in my apprehension.

1784 J. Douglas Cook's Voy. Pacific I. Introd. p. xii The visits were..so transient, that it was scarcely possible to build upon a foundation, so weakly laid, any information that could even gratify idle curiosity.

b. With weakness of constitution.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > [adverb] > in a weak manner or condition > with weak constitution

weakly1623

1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII ii. iii. 40 Old Lady. Haue you limbs To beare that load of Title? Anne Bullen. No in truth. Old Lady. Then you are weakly made.

3. With slight defensive strength.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > defence > [adverb] > with slight defensive strength

weakly1582

1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 36 Our state eke and persons may not thus weaklye be shielded.

1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. B1^v Honour and Beautie in the owners armes, Are weakelie fortrest from a world of harmes.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) ii. i. 75 'Tis sure they found some place, But weakely guarded, where the breach was made.

1680 C. Cotton Compl. Gamester (ed. 2) 52 When you find your adversaries King any way weakly guarded.

1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 145 Some have wonder'd that the Turk never attacks this Treasury, since it..is so weakly guarded.

1921 Times Lit. Suppl. 3 Feb. 67/3 Haig..was quite right to hold the southern end of his line..more weakly than the rest.

a. With deficiency of numbers or amount; sparsely, meagrely. ? Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > insufficiency > [adverb] > not abundantly

scarcec1300

weakly1605

sparse1725

slimly1801

1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Nn4 If a Shooemaker should haue no Shooes in his Shoppe, but onely worke, as hee is bespoken, hee should bee weakely customed.

a1649 J. Winthrop Hist. New Eng. (1853) II. 232 Here came a pinnace..for procuring powder..but we were weakly provided ourselves.

1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. i. 112 The capstan was so weakly manned, that it was near four hours before we hove the cable right up and down.

b. In a slight degree; to a small extent or amount.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adverb] > to a small extent or slightly

lightlyeOE

liteOE

littleOE

a litec1290

smallc1300

softc1390

smally?a1425

slenderlya1513

hoverly1549

remissly1557

slender1581

not half1583

faintly1590

slightly1594

lankly1611

lowly1655

slight1671

nicely1698

weakly1775

sparingly1796

jimply1816

feebly1830

slightually1859

marginally1960

1775 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 66 204 A battery so weakly electrified that its shock will not pass through a chain.

1785 T. Jefferson Notes Virginia vi. 58 The waters weakly mineralised.

1805 W. Saunders Treat. Mineral Waters (ed. 2) 557 The ochre..is, when dry, weakly magnetic.

1805 T. Weaver tr. A. G. Werner Treat. Fossils 191 Solid fossils that stain..either strongly or weakly.

1827 M. Faraday Chem. Manip. xvii. 442 This may be done..by bringing the body, if weakly electrified, into contact with the cap.

5. With weakness of mind or character; with lack of mental grasp or firmness of will.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > weakness of intellect > [adverb]

weaklya1616

the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > inconstancy > [adverb] > with weakness of character or will

wokelya1000

unwrastlyc1050

unthildilyc1225

fraillya1300

weaklya1616

akratically1913

spinelessly1977

a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. i. 193 I will not aduenture my discretion so weakly .

1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ iii. iv. §1 The meaning is not that all mankind was made of the same uniform matter, as the authour of the Præ-Adamites weakly imagined.

1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 50 Who this high gift of strength committed to me,..Under the Seal of silence could not keep, But weakly to a woman must reveal it.

1706 S. Clarke Disc. Nat. Relig. 221 Plato, after having delivered very noble..Truths concerning the Nature and Attributes of the Supreme God, weakly advises Men to worship likewise Inferiour Gods.

1864 J. W. Carlyle Lett. III. 208 What may strike you as weakly fanciful in my desire.

1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ At Bay vii. 106 He was weakly credulous.

1892 F. P. Verney et al. Mem. Verney Family Civil War I. 267 She was not at all inclined to be weakly indulgent.

6. With little vigour of action, inefficiently.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > uselessness, vanity, or futility > [adverb] > ineffectively

unmightilyc1443

slenderly?1531

limpingly1579

unprevailing1632

ineffectively1655

weakly1663

inefficaciously1727

abortively1744

inefficiently1828

1663 J. Taylor Serm. Funeral Abp. Armagh 1 The Condition of Man in this World is so limited..that the best things he does he does weakly.

1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 162. ⁋4 We please our pride with the effects of our influence thus weakly exerted.

1853 C. Dickens Bleak House xiii. 119 Mr. Boythorn, who interested himself strongly in the subject—though I need not say that, for he could do nothing weakly.

1905 Ld. E. Fitzmaurice Life Ld. Granville I. xv. 430 Mr. Lowe considered that he had been but weakly defended by some of his colleagues in the House of Commons.

7. With little force of argument; unconvincingly.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > improbability, unlikeliness > [adverb] > unconvincingly

unsatisfyingly1653

unsatisfactorily1657

weakly1662

unplausibly1706

implausibly1818

unpersuasively1855

unconvincingly1891

1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ iii. i. §7 Now I appeal to the reason of any Person..Whether either of these two Hypotheses..be not far more weakly proved, then the existence of a Deity is.

1855 E. B. Pusey Doctr. Real Presence Note F 73 He is blamed by others, as exposing the doctrine which he defends weakly.

1857 R. W. Emerson Solitude & Society in Atlantic Monthly Dec. 225/1 He spoke weakly, and from the point, like a flighty girl.

8. Mathematics. In a way that implies less or that satisfies fewer conditions (cf. weak adj. 12f (b)).

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > number > mathematics > [adverb] > in specific way

reciprocally1570

comprehensively1816

trivially1941

strongly1955

weakly1955

1955 M. Loève Probability Theory ix. 443 If all sequences TⁿX are weakly compact, then it is easily proved that sup ‖Tⁿ‖ < ∞.

1972 R. J. Wilson Introd. Graph Theory vii. 102 A digraph D is said to be connected (or weakly-connected) if it cannot be expressed as the union of two disjoint digraphs.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online December 2021).

单词	weakly
释义	weaklyadj. Brit. /ˈwiːkli/, U.S. /ˈwikli/ Etymology: < weak adj. + -ly suffix¹. 1. a. Weak in constitution, not strong or robust, delicate. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > [adjective] > in state of ill health or diseased > weak > of constitution neshOE tender?c1225 softa1387 delicatea1398 nicec1450 slendera1500 weak?1523 dainty1562 fine1562 cockney1573 weakly1577 dough-baked1592 lax1732 flimsy1742 lax-fibred1762 doughy1763 dauncy1846 fragile1858 slim1877 chétif1908 1577 H. I. tr. H. Bullinger 50 Godlie Serm. I. ii. viii. sig. N.vi/2 Not to suppresse such a fellowe as this, is to put a sword in a madde mans hand, to kill vnwise and weakelie men. 1582 T. Watson Ἑκατομπαθία: Passionate Cent. Loue xcii Litle of stature, and in apparence weakelie. 1678 W. Mountagu in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 329 Anne Coke is brought to bed of a son,..a very weakly one. 1684 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 2nd Pt. 158 Neither objected he against my weakly Looks, nor against my feeble Mind. View more context for this quotation 1753 J. Collier Art Tormenting (1811) ii. iv. 171 Hermia is far from being of a weakly constitution. 1832 H. Martineau Manch. Strike (ed. 2) III. ix. 103 The more weakly of the labourers lie down and die. 1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. xii. 133 From the weakly habit of the patient,..he thought it advisable to let her have some weak chicken broth and light negus. 1877 E. R. Conder Basis of Faith v. 225 The swiftest hare may be run down by the dogs, weaklier ones meanwhile lurking in safe covert. 1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VII. 857 In weakly children the syrup of the phosphate of iron..is of advantage. absolute.1621 T. Granger Familiar Expos. Eccles. i. 3. 6 The sicke and weakly, thinketh the strong and healthfull happy.1848 E. C. Gaskell Mary Barton I. viii. 140 She, the weakly, was left behind while the strong man was taken.1866 C. Kingsley Hereward the Wake I. Prel. 2 In the civilised state..the weakliest and the silliest..have their chance likewise. b. of a plant, tree, etc. ΘΚΠ the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by poor growth > [adjective] > growing poorly or withering feyOE withering1599 weak1600 misliking1601 unfirm1616 languishing1683 sickly1697 marcescent1727 weakly1775 miffy1850 wilting1884 1775 J. Tait Land of Liberty ii. xxxv. 47 She cuts him off like some poor weakly flow'r. 1842 J. C. Loudon Suburban Horticulturist 364 It would be ridiculous to lay the same quantity of wood into a weakly tree as into a tree in full vigour. 1887 Field 15 Oct. 603/2 A weakly grower [sc. a rose-tree]. 2. Characterized by moral weakness. ΚΠ 1890 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Colonial Reformer III. xxiv. 1 Of no avail are weakly condolences or mild assenting pity. 1900 Month Aug. 135 A sort of cruel kindness and weakly indulgence. 3. Of a laugh: Feeble, faint, half-hearted. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > [adjective] > feeble (of laughter) weakly1883 1883 R. Broughton Belinda II. iii. iii. 206 ‘Are they?’ she says, with a weakly laugh. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online December 2021). weaklyadv. Brit. /ˈwiːkli/, U.S. /ˈwikli/ Etymology: < weak adj. + -ly suffix². In a weak manner. 1. a. With little energy, force, or strength; †with gentle action, softly (obsolete). ΘΚΠ the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily weakness > [adverb] faintlyc1320 weakly1398 unthendelyc1440 lankly1611 flaggingly1693 strengthlessly1820 punily1827 nervelessly1836 flaccidly1847 limply1869 the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [adverb] > without harshness or gently lightlyeOE neshlyeOE fairOE neshc1175 softlyc1225 softa1325 hoolya1340 tenderlyc1385 soft and fair(ly)c1391 weakly1398 delicately?a1425 prettilyc1500 gently1533 gentle1548 breathingly1662 blandly1827 sparingly1863 piano1873 gauzily1903 creamily1948 the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [adverb] > without force or vigour slacklyc960 feeblyc1330 remissly?a1425 faintlyc1440 weakly1526 punily1555 forcelessly1611 unvigorously1641 feeble1834 validless1866 1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) xii. xxvii. 429 A kite is weke in flyghte and in strengthe and is callyd Miluus as it were weekely fleenge [L. molliter volans]. ?a1400 Morte Arth. 697 Waynour waykly wepande hym kyssiz. 1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. GGGiii By more easy meanes commeth to perfection, whiche they slowly & weakely or fayntly desyre. 1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique iii. ix. 441 For the yong plant which can attract & draw but weakly, & at hand any substance for it selfe, will hardly [etc.]. a1626 F. Bacon Sylva Sylvarum (1627) §33 It is very probable that the Motion of Grauitie worketh weakly, both farre from the Earth, and also within the Earth. 1641 J. Symonds Serm. Westminster sig. Biiij^v An arrow weakly shot, will fall short of the mark. 1657 R. Baxter Acct. Present Thoughts 12 Grace may act weaklier than it did before. 1715 J. T. Desaguliers tr. N. Gauger Fires Improv'd 11 Upon account of their distance from the Fire, they are but very weakly reflected. 1876 T. L. Papillon Man. Compar. Philol. 69 Final m [in Latin]..must have been weakly pronounced. b. In a weak or enfeebled condition. Also transferred. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > [adverb] > in a weak manner or condition weakly1470 languishingly1579 languidly1759 groggily1896 punily1906 1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xix. xii. 794 Thenne the wounded knyghte syr Vrre sette hym vp weykely. 1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xl. 202 In his hand he hadde A croked staffe; he wente full wekely. c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 10151 Philmen..the gome hit,..gert hym to stoupe, Þat he wauerit þerwith, & weikly he sete. 1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. i. sig. N5^v As one out of a deadly dreame affright, She weakely started, yet she nothing drad. 1606 Sir E. Coke in True & Perf. Relation T 3 b This paper of his Retractation, which hee had weakely and dyingly subscribed. 1844 E. B. Browning Lost Bower lxix By this couch I weakly lie on, While I count my memories. †2. a. Insecurely, unsubstantially. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > unreliability > [adverb] > weakly, unsteadily tealtea1023 weakly1517 unsubstantially1529 tickly1530 tickle1606 infirmly1615 precariously1658 1517 R. Foxe Let. 30 Apr. (1929) 95 Also, my lord, I haue not soo sklenderly buyldyd my selue, nor soo weykly estableshed my house in thies parties, that I can honestely or conuenyently so sodenly depart hens. 1665 T. Herbert Some Years Trav. (new ed.) 123 That supposition is but weakly founded, at least in my apprehension. 1784 J. Douglas Cook's Voy. Pacific I. Introd. p. xii The visits were..so transient, that it was scarcely possible to build upon a foundation, so weakly laid, any information that could even gratify idle curiosity. b. With weakness of constitution. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > [adverb] > in a weak manner or condition > with weak constitution weakly1623 1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII ii. iii. 40 Old Lady. Haue you limbs To beare that load of Title? Anne Bullen. No in truth. Old Lady. Then you are weakly made. View more context for this quotation 3. With slight defensive strength. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > defence > [adverb] > with slight defensive strength weakly1582 1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 36 Our state eke and persons may not thus weaklye be shielded. 1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. B1^v Honour and Beautie in the owners armes, Are weakelie fortrest from a world of harmes. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) ii. i. 75 'Tis sure they found some place, But weakely guarded, where the breach was made. View more context for this quotation 1680 C. Cotton Compl. Gamester (ed. 2) 52 When you find your adversaries King any way weakly guarded. 1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 145 Some have wonder'd that the Turk never attacks this Treasury, since it..is so weakly guarded. 1921 Times Lit. Suppl. 3 Feb. 67/3 Haig..was quite right to hold the southern end of his line..more weakly than the rest. 4. a. With deficiency of numbers or amount; sparsely, meagrely. ? Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > insufficiency > [adverb] > not abundantly scarcec1300 weakly1605 sparse1725 slimly1801 1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Nn4 If a Shooemaker should haue no Shooes in his Shoppe, but onely worke, as hee is bespoken, hee should bee weakely customed. View more context for this quotation a1649 J. Winthrop Hist. New Eng. (1853) II. 232 Here came a pinnace..for procuring powder..but we were weakly provided ourselves. 1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. i. 112 The capstan was so weakly manned, that it was near four hours before we hove the cable right up and down. b. In a slight degree; to a small extent or amount. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adverb] > to a small extent or slightly lightlyeOE liteOE littleOE a litec1290 smallc1300 softc1390 smally?a1425 slenderlya1513 hoverly1549 remissly1557 slender1581 not half1583 faintly1590 slightly1594 lankly1611 lowly1655 slight1671 nicely1698 weakly1775 sparingly1796 jimply1816 feebly1830 slightually1859 marginally1960 1775 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 66 204 A battery so weakly electrified that its shock will not pass through a chain. 1785 T. Jefferson Notes Virginia vi. 58 The waters weakly mineralised. 1805 W. Saunders Treat. Mineral Waters (ed. 2) 557 The ochre..is, when dry, weakly magnetic. 1805 T. Weaver tr. A. G. Werner Treat. Fossils 191 Solid fossils that stain..either strongly or weakly. 1827 M. Faraday Chem. Manip. xvii. 442 This may be done..by bringing the body, if weakly electrified, into contact with the cap. 5. With weakness of mind or character; with lack of mental grasp or firmness of will. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > weakness of intellect > [adverb] weaklya1616 the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > inconstancy > [adverb] > with weakness of character or will wokelya1000 unwrastlyc1050 unthildilyc1225 fraillya1300 weaklya1616 akratically1913 spinelessly1977 a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. i. 193 I will not aduenture my discretion so weakly . View more context for this quotation 1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ iii. iv. §1 The meaning is not that all mankind was made of the same uniform matter, as the authour of the Præ-Adamites weakly imagined. 1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 50 Who this high gift of strength committed to me,..Under the Seal of silence could not keep, But weakly to a woman must reveal it. View more context for this quotation 1706 S. Clarke Disc. Nat. Relig. 221 Plato, after having delivered very noble..Truths concerning the Nature and Attributes of the Supreme God, weakly advises Men to worship likewise Inferiour Gods. 1864 J. W. Carlyle Lett. III. 208 What may strike you as weakly fanciful in my desire. 1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ At Bay vii. 106 He was weakly credulous. 1892 F. P. Verney et al. Mem. Verney Family Civil War I. 267 She was not at all inclined to be weakly indulgent. 6. With little vigour of action, inefficiently. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > uselessness, vanity, or futility > [adverb] > ineffectively unmightilyc1443 slenderly?1531 limpingly1579 unprevailing1632 ineffectively1655 weakly1663 inefficaciously1727 abortively1744 inefficiently1828 1663 J. Taylor Serm. Funeral Abp. Armagh 1 The Condition of Man in this World is so limited..that the best things he does he does weakly. 1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 162. ⁋4 We please our pride with the effects of our influence thus weakly exerted. 1853 C. Dickens Bleak House xiii. 119 Mr. Boythorn, who interested himself strongly in the subject—though I need not say that, for he could do nothing weakly. 1905 Ld. E. Fitzmaurice Life Ld. Granville I. xv. 430 Mr. Lowe considered that he had been but weakly defended by some of his colleagues in the House of Commons. 7. With little force of argument; unconvincingly. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > improbability, unlikeliness > [adverb] > unconvincingly unsatisfyingly1653 unsatisfactorily1657 weakly1662 unplausibly1706 implausibly1818 unpersuasively1855 unconvincingly1891 1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ iii. i. §7 Now I appeal to the reason of any Person..Whether either of these two Hypotheses..be not far more weakly proved, then the existence of a Deity is. 1855 E. B. Pusey Doctr. Real Presence Note F 73 He is blamed by others, as exposing the doctrine which he defends weakly. 1857 R. W. Emerson Solitude & Society in Atlantic Monthly Dec. 225/1 He spoke weakly, and from the point, like a flighty girl. 8. Mathematics. In a way that implies less or that satisfies fewer conditions (cf. weak adj. 12f (b)). ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > number > mathematics > [adverb] > in specific way reciprocally1570 comprehensively1816 trivially1941 strongly1955 weakly1955 1955 M. Loève Probability Theory ix. 443 If all sequences TⁿX are weakly compact, then it is easily proved that sup ‖Tⁿ‖ < ∞. 1972 R. J. Wilson Introd. Graph Theory vii. 102 A digraph D is said to be connected (or weakly-connected) if it cannot be expressed as the union of two disjoint digraphs. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online December 2021). < adj.1577adv.1398
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