workmanlyadj.
/ˈwəːkmənli/, U.S. /ˈwərkmənli/ = workmanlike adj. (esp. sense 1a).
ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [adjective] > having practical, operative, or constructive skill > characteristic of skilled worker
workmanly1421
artificiousc1475
craftsmanlike1547
workmanlike1600
artificial1667
professional-looking1840
tradesmanlike1862
workwomanly1894
1421–2 Catterick Bridge Contract in L. F. Salzman Building in Eng. (1992) App. B. 497 Quilke forsaide brygge..sall' be mad' Sufficiant and workmenly in masoncraft.
1545 J. Bale Mysterye Inyquyte P. Pantolabus f. 43 Marke the good workemanlye handelynge..therof.
1582 R. Mulcaster 1st Pt. Elementarie xi. 58 Whatsoeuer shall belong to coloring, to shadowing, and such more workmanlie points.
1600 T. Dekker Shomakers Holiday sig. D3 Defile not thy fine workemanly fingers with the feete of Kitchinstuffe.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia v. xiii. 371 Their Astrolabe is the most Workmanly Tool among them, it being neatly framed of Brass, Copper, or Silver.
1766 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. II. xxx. 452 He has it upon an implied contract to render it again when made, and that in a workmanly manner.
1825 R. Elsam Pract. Builder's Perpetual Price-bk. Pref. p. vi Measured work, which may be considered nearly the same in all places; that is, if executed in a workmanly manner.
1860 J. Ruskin Mod. Painters V. 220 Rudders, and yards, and cables, all needing workmanly handling and workmanly knowledge.
1907 Times 22 May 3/2 Not only the best architectural, but the best workmanly, skill has been employed.
1960 Film Q. Autumn 62/1 Jean Simmons is workmanly and sincere.
2011 M. E. Gibson Indian Angles i. 46 Though he aspired to poetic fame.., Horsford was at best a workmanly poet.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
workmanlyadv.
/ˈwəːkmənli/, U.S. /ˈwərkmənli/ Now rare (somewhat archaic in later use).
= workmanlike adv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [adverb] > in workmanlike manner
workmanlike1447
workmanly1468
workwomanlike1641
1468 in M. Sellers York Memorandum Bk. (1912) I. 185 Suche girdelles as be clerely and warkmanly made upp.
1534 W. Turner tr. J. von Watt Of Olde God & Newe sig. Cj An ymage of his father very cunnyngly and workemanly carued.
?1548 J. Bale Image Bothe Churches (new ed.) i. Pref. sig. Bij Ye beastes head that was wounded, is now healed vp againe so workemanly.
1591 J. Harington in tr. L. Ariosto Orlando Furioso Advt. to Rdr. sig. Ai Some 3. or 4. pretie figures (in octauo) cut in brasse verie workemanly.
1602 J. Clarke Trumpet of Apollo Epist. to Rdr. sig. A4v Faithfully and workmanlie drawne without all sophistication or adustion.
1656 W. Dugdale Antiq. Warwickshire 355/2 To make and set up, finely and workmanly, a parclose of timber.
1723 Mr. Williams Sacred & Moral Poems 112 Constant Practice workmanly apply'd.
1824 H. F. Cary tr. Aristophanes Birds iii. i. 109 Those carpenter fowls, the hickwalls, Who with their beaks did hack the gates out workmanly.
1871 Times 21 Sept. 10/1 It was a glorious piece of work, right well and workmanly done.
1905 Times Lit. Suppl. 1 Sept. 278/2 The four famous folio volumes, workmanly bound in grey boards and canvas.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.1421adv.1468