greenly

greenly

See also: Greenly

English

Pronunciation

  • Audio (Southern England):(file)

Etymology 1

    From green + -ly.

    Adjective

    greenly (comparative more greenly, superlative most greenly)

    1. Characterized by greenness or lushness; verdant.
      Synonyms: lush, verdant; see also Thesaurus:verdant
      • 1999, Marva J. Dawn, A Royal Waste of Time:
        How then is it possible that Methodism, that is, a religion of the heart, though it flourishes now as a greenly tree, should continue in this state?
    Derived terms

    Etymology 2

      From green + -ly.

      Adverb

      greenly (comparative more greenly, superlative most greenly)

      1. With a green color.
        • 1844, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Lady Geraldine's Courtship:
          But within this swarded circle, into which the lime-walk brings us —
          Whence the beeches rounded greenly, stand away in reverent fear;
          I will let no music enter, saving what the fountain sings us []
        • 1865, Louisa May Alcott, Moods, page 131:
          Sylvia loved dancing, and knew "wall flowers" only by sight; therefore she was busy; her lover's gift shone greenly in bosom, hair, and fleecy skirts []
        • 1939, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Ingleside:
          What was that gleaming greenly on Mother's hand? A ring . . . Dad's present.
      2. In a naive or immature manner.
        • 1880, Robert W. Bigham, Thomas Osmond Summers, Wine and Blood, page 53:
          They [] proposed that we should join them in a plan to drench the president next morning with freezing water. We consented greenly enough.
      Translations