-ly

1. a suffix forming adverbs from adjectives: gladly; gradually; secondly.

2. a suffix meaning "every," attached to certain nouns denoting units of time: hourly; daily.

3. an adjective suffix meaning "-like": saintly; cowardly.

[(adv.) ME -li, -lich(e), OE -lice (-lic adj. suffix + -e adv. suffix); (adj.) ME -li, -ly, -lich(e), OE -lic (c. G -lich), suffixal use of gelic LIKE¹]

Syn. 3. See -ish¹.

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