aptlyadv.
/ˈaptli/, U.S. /ˈæp(t)li/ 1. ‘With just connection or correspondence’ (Johnson); with exact adjustment, well-fittingly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adverb] > with exact adjustment
aptly1597
1597 T. Morley Plaine & Easie Introd. Musicke 86 See what points will aptliest agree with the nature of it.
1712 R. Blackmore Creation iii. 302 What makes them aptly to the Limbs adhere.
1794 R. J. Sulivan View of Nature II. 205 A thing that consists of a multitude of pieces, aptly joined.
1870 W. C. Bryant tr. Homer Iliad I. ix. 289 I broke my aptly-jointed chamber doors.
2.
a. So as to suit a purpose or meet general requirements; fitly, suitably; appropriately.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adverb]
wellOE
tidily1340
avenantlya1375
covenablyc1384
featlya1400
propera1400
queema1400
congruelyc1400
conably1411
cordingc1420
convenablyc1430
competentlyc1440
fitc1440
accordantlyc1443
accordinglyc1443
conveniently1447
at pointc1485
congruentlya1529
appliablyc1530
afferandly1536
suitingly1540
aptly1548
answerably1549
fitlyc1550
agreeingly1563
suitable1584
not unfitly1586
aptitudinallyc1600
handsome1600
sortfully1606
sortably1607
congruouslya1620
accommodately1623
adaptlya1648
inabusivelya1677
suitably1681
agreeably1753
appropriately1795
suitly1913
righteous1948
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Pref. 19 A thyng aptlye geuen.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxix. 173 We may compare this Distemper very aptly to an Ague.
1818 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Canto IV vii. 6 A form which aptly seems Such as I sought for.
1822 T. Taylor tr. Apuleius Metamorphosis 338 The senses..being aptly formed, by nature, to the perception of sensibles.
b. esp. of language: Appositely, expressively, to the point.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adverb] > appositely
feelinglya1382
pertinentlyc1425
happily?1504
aptlya1529
punctually1570
pat1578
to scopea1616
appositely1633
apropos1668
felicitously1828
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > elegance > [adverb] > aptly
aptlya1529
prettily1576
felicitously1828
a1529 J. Skelton Speke Parrot in Certayne Bks. (?1545) sig. A.iiv To lerne all language, and it to spake aptely.
1654 J. Bramhall Just Vindic. Church of Eng. ii. 7 Such a passionate heat is aptly stiled..a paroxisme.
a1849 E. A. Poe Raven Reply so aptly spoken.
3. With ready susceptibility, with quick intelligence; readily.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > [adverb]
sharplyc897
redlyc1275
wellc1450
finely1538
aptly1578
acutely1600
shrewdly1600
penetratingly1670
sagaciously1678
penetratively1697
cutely1762
keenly1824
downily1845
percipiently1924
insightfully1932
sharp-wittedly1934
1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 55 He shall..be able aptly to conceiue & redely to vtter any thing.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) iii. iv. 189 I know his youth will aptly receiue it. View more context for this quotation
1805 R. Southey Madoc ii. xiii. 304 Aptly she learnt, what willingly he taught.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adv.a1529