humblyadv.
/ˈhʌmbli/, U.S. /ˈhəmbli/ 1.
a. In a humble manner; with humility, meekly.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > humility > [adverb]
edmodlichec1175
meeklyc1175
low1340
lowlyc1350
humblyc1374
humilyc1380
meeka1382
poorlyc1385
benignlyc1386
lowlily1415
sheep-like1582
demissly1598
squire-like1608
demissively1622
forma pauperisa1627
under favour1699
daftly1724
abasedly1830
the mind > emotion > humility > [adverb] > in addressing a superior
humblyc1374
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde ii. 1670 (1719) Loke þat ye þonke humbely [v.rr. humblely, vmbely] Hem alle þre.
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 1041 Oppon ys arm ys heued a layde & humbliche ansuered þe kyng.
1485 W. Caxton tr. Paris & Vienne (1957) 29 Thenne sayd parys moche humbly with grete shamefastnes.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Mal. iii. 14 Walkinge humbly before the Lorde.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1837 The Troiane full umbly tolde hym anone.
1598 Floure & Leafe in T. Speght Wks. G. Chaucer f. 367v/1 With great reuerence and that ful humbly.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary ii. 279 Tyrone..kneeled at the doore humbly on his knees for a long space.
1718 N. Rowe tr. Lucan Pharsalia v. (R.) Oft he is heard to threat, and humbly oft to pray.
1844 J. Ruskin Mod. Painters (ed. 2) I. Pref. p. lxi He who walks humbly with Nature will seldom be in danger of losing sight of Art.
b. Used formally in addressing a superior.
ΚΠ
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxxx Moste humbly besechyng your highnes..that I maie haue a sure saufe conduite.
c1613 ( in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) 44 Humble praying your good mastership to take no displeasure with me.
1639 Marquis of Hamilton in Hamilton Papers (1880) 58 I shall humbly craue leiue to ade this to your self.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 258. ⁋2 I do humbly propose..that another..be erected.
2. In a low or lowly position or condition; modestly; unpretentiously.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > low position > [adverb]
netherOE
downlOE
downwardc1225
lowlyc1330
downwards?a1425
low-downc1425
abasea1450
lowera1475
baselya1500
humbly1746
society > society and the community > social class > the common people > low rank or condition > lowness of birth > [adverb]
unornlyc1175
ignobly1594
of no family1705
humbly1855
1746 Tom Thumb's Trav. Eng. 105 Near an Acre of Pasture Ground..sunk gently down for several Hours, till at last it humbly settled about seventeen Yards below.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. xix. 292 John Bart, humbly born, and scarcely able to sign his name.
Compounds
In combinations.
ΚΠ
1654 T. Gataker Disc. Apol. 97 As..humblie minded and demeaned a Gentlewoman, as I have ever [known].
1892 D. A. Clarke in A. E. Lee Hist. Columbus II. 668 The meek and humbly-clad Sisters of St. Francis.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.c1374