† headlongsadv.
Obsolete (English regional (midlands) in later use).
= headlong adv. (in various senses).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > [adverb] > headlong
swireforthc825
a-randounc1380
headlya1425
headlongsc1540
eavelong1567
headlong1576
rank1590
headlongly1595
precipitously1626
neck-break1631
precipitantly1656
precipitately1728
precipitatedly1770
torrentially1882
slap-dab1886
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > [adverb] > with a plunge > headlong
divelingc1225
headlonga1382
headlingc1384
headlingsa1398
headlongsc1540
headstoopsc1540
headlong-wise1573
the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > [adverb] > hastily or hurriedly > foolishly or recklessly
belly-flaughtc1375
headlinga1398
headlingsc1400
hastilyc1405
hastlyc1425
overheadc1440
headilya1500
headlongc1500
ahead1530
headlongsc1540
precipitately1615
precipitantly1642
precipitously1646
precipitiously1653
splash-dash1807
ram-stam1808
rum-strum1827
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 166v He hurlit down hedlonges to þe hard erthe.
1546 J. Bale Actes Eng. Votaryes: 1st Pt. f. 17 She shuld haue bene brought vnto an hygh mountayne, and there throune downe headlonges.
1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia i. sig. Fvii To rome hedlonges the contrary waye.
1620 in R. Pitcairn Criminal Trials Scotl. (1833) III. 486 Resolveing to rwn heidlongis in all..cruiket courses.
1680 ‘Philalethes’ tr. G. Buchanan De Jure Regni apud Scotos 47 When they once begin to fall they never stay untill they fall headlongs into destruction.
1859 ‘G. Eliot’ Adam Bede I. i. vi. 135 That's the road you'd all like to go, headlongs to ruin.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2013; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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adv.c1540