justlyadv.
/ˈdʒʌs(t)li/, U.S. /ˈdʒəs(t)li/ 1. With exactness, exactly, precisely, accurately.
a. Modifying a verb. Also: †so as to fit accurately, closely, tightly (obsolete). In later use, chiefly in negative contexts. Now chiefly regional.With quot. a1375 cf. quot. a1375 at justicely adv. 1, and also quot. a1375 at justily adv. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adverb]
rightlyeOE
righteOE
evenOE
evenlya1225
redlyc1275
justicelya1375
justilya1375
justlya1375
redilya1375
trulya1375
properlya1382
precisec1392
preciselyc1392
truec1392
straitlya1395
leala1400
arightc1405
by linec1420
justlyc1425
featlya1450
rule-righta1450
to the letter?1495
exquisitely1526
evenliklya1530
very1530
absolutely1538
jump1539
just1568
accurately1581
punctually1581
jumplya1586
arights1596
just so1601
plumb1601
compassly1606
nicelya1616
squarely1626
justa1631
adequately1632
mathematicallya1638
critically1655
exquisitively1660
just1665
pointedly1667
faithfully1690
correctlya1704
jus1801
jest1815
jes1851
neat1875
cleanly1883
on the nose1883
smack-dab1892
spot on1920
forensically1974
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 751 Þat preui pleyng place..Ioyned wel iustly to meliors chamber.
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 241 Þei fleked þam [sc. boats] ouerthuert, justely forto ligge, Ouer þewater smerte was so ordeyned a brigge.
c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) ii. §29. 39 (heading) To knowe Iustly the 4 quarters of the world.
a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail lii. l. 592 Piers..Made his hors Al Redy, & his helm gan lasen ful Iostly.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. f. ccv/1 To knowe iustly wher the scottes were become, they sent forthe two squyers well horsed, and suche as knewe the countre, to se if they coulde here any tidynges of them.
1563 J. Shute First Groundes Archit. sig. Diiiv The Proiecture..doth answer iustly with the thicknes of the pillor.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 449 The former part of this report agreeth iustly with that..touching Cathay.
1692 Smith's Sea-mans Gram. (new ed.) ii. xxxi. 150 Let them..justly fit the bore.
1740 H. Bracken Farriery Improv'd (ed. 2) II. i. 28 The Pillion cannot sit justly upon the Spine.
1764 D. E. Baker Compan. to Play-house II. at Sharper This Play was never acted,..nor do I know justly the Date of its Publication.
1829 J. Lawrence Horse Varieties & Uses xv. 84 A good nail would..justly fit and fill the piercing hole of the shoe.
1881 Potter's Amer. Monthly Sept. 212/1 ‘There were some,’ the old postmaster said... ‘I don't justly know how many.’
1902 H. W. Tompkins Highways Hertfordsh. v. 107 What did she die of? I don't justly know; doctor said as ther' was a cancer.
1974 W. Leeds Herefordshire Speech 71 I can't justly say.
2008 B. Decker You've got to be believed to be Heard (new ed.) iv. 67 Norville's sleek blond luster is justly matched by her intelligence and journalistic credibility.
b. Modifying an adverb, adjective, preposition, or noun phrase. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adverb]
rightlyeOE
righteOE
evenOE
evenlya1225
redlyc1275
justicelya1375
justilya1375
justlya1375
redilya1375
trulya1375
properlya1382
precisec1392
preciselyc1392
truec1392
straitlya1395
leala1400
arightc1405
by linec1420
justlyc1425
featlya1450
rule-righta1450
to the letter?1495
exquisitely1526
evenliklya1530
very1530
absolutely1538
jump1539
just1568
accurately1581
punctually1581
jumplya1586
arights1596
just so1601
plumb1601
compassly1606
nicelya1616
squarely1626
justa1631
adequately1632
mathematicallya1638
critically1655
exquisitively1660
just1665
pointedly1667
faithfully1690
correctlya1704
jus1801
jest1815
jes1851
neat1875
cleanly1883
on the nose1883
smack-dab1892
spot on1920
forensically1974
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) ii. l. 939 (MED) He..callyd it [sc. a palace] þe noble Ylyovn, Þe siȝt of whiche, iustly circuler, By compas cast, rounde as any spere.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 10 Sho..Ioynet by Iason iustly to sit.
c1550 J. Bale Image Both Churches (new ed.) xxi. sig. Nn.i It is syx tymes so muche, which commeth to. ix. fote iustly.
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. ii. 57 If the Cloud side-long sit..or iustly opposite To Sunne or Moone.
1667 Bp. J. Taylor 2nd Pt. Dissuasive from Popery i. iv. 150 The same Creed, or form of words, differing onely in order of placing them, but justly the same Articles and Foundation of faith.
1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §97 It could be brought justly horizontal by means of a pocket Spirit-Level.
1879 W. M. Wynch Olden Memories 52 He is an artist, who has power, To bring each perfect form to view, And paints our good and evil hour In colours that are justly true.
1903 A. S. Dewing Introd. Hist. Mod. Philos. i. 14 With the exception of a few such errors the popular conception of philosophy..is justly correct.
1907 Congress. Rec. 1 Mar. 4321/1 These emancipated negroes occupy justly the same attitude that those held who were captured from slave ships.
2. In religious language: in a way that is morally right or in accordance with religious principles; uprightly; righteously.In quot. 1997 with allusion to Micah 6:8.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > [adverb]
righteOE
righteouslyOE
justlyc1384
righteousa1400
uprightly1549
upright1601
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Titus ii. 12 That we..lyue sobreli, and iustli [L. iuste], and piteuously, in this world.
c1425 Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Queen's Oxf.) (1850) Esther Prol. 636 God helpith hem that..lyuen iustli in the drede of him.
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope ii. i No thyng is so good as to lyue Iustly and at lyberte.
1529 S. Fish tr. H. Bomelius Summe Holye Script. iv. sig. D.iv There is not a more certeyn signe of euerlasting helth then when a man lyveth iustly, and hath alway adversite: for that is it that god sendeth vs for oure sinnes and oure purgatory.
1611 Bible (King James) Micah vi. 8 What doeth the Lord require of thee, but to do iustly, and to loue mercy, and to walke humbly with thy God? View more context for this quotation
1732 J. Besse Def. Quakerism ii. 5 A Just Man then has somewhat of Union with Christ. He is taught to live justly by Christ.
1844 Gavel Oct. 35 How important to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, making his law the rule of our practice.
1915 Messenger Sept. 160 It behooves us all to live justly in this life so we can be received in holiness in heaven.
1997 S. Telchin Abandoned ii. ix. 140 If there is a God,..our concept of doing justly and loving mercy and walking humbly with Him is what matters and all that He requires of us.
3. In accordance with justice, law, or fairness; with justice; lawfully; rightfully, rightly; deservedly.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > rightness or justice > [adverb]
rightlyeOE
reasonablya1325
rightfullyc1325
leefullyc1340
justlyc1384
uprightly1549
conscionably1552
justicely1865
society > morality > dueness or propriety > [adverb] > deservedly
righteouslya1382
worthilyc1405
condignlyc1450
meritorilyc1503
gradely?1521
deservedly1548
deservingly1552
deservably1593
desertfully1601
meritoriously1607
meritedly1638
justly1849
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke xxiii. 41 Nethir thou dredist God, that thou art in the same dampnacioun? And treuly we iustly [L. iuste].
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) ii. l. 6686 Aftir his trespas & offencioun Iustly to make restitucioun.
c1500 (?a1475) Assembly of Gods (1896) l. 1222 Who bade yow do so..? Iustly vnto that ye shall me pryuy make.
1555 in J. Strype Eccl. Memorials (1721) III. App. xliv. 126 How few are they that can justly excuse themselves.
1600 E. Blount tr. G. F. di Conestaggio Hist. Uniting Portugall to Castill 31 Without any pretext or iudgement to whom of them the estate did iustly appertaine.
a1640 P. Massinger Bashful Lover v. iii. 162 in 3 New Playes (1655) There lives no Prince that justlier can Challenge the Princess favor.
1711 E. Budgell Spectator No. 150. ⁋10 The old Gentleman was in some measure justly served for walking in Masquerade.
a1800 W. Cowper Life & Posthumous Writings (1803) I. 15 That I may fairly quit The debt, which justly became due.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. v. 589 His eldest daughter was justly popular.
1917 Advocate of Peace May 139/1 All..who sincerely desire that America, declaring what it conceives to be a just war, shall wage that war justly and fairly.
1952 S. S. Miller One Bright Day 36 If you can prove that we're at fault, I'll see to it that you're justly treated.
2000 W. N. Renke in J. L. Turk Corporate Campus i. 34 Units that are successful are frequently justly successful.
4. In accordance with nature or with a required or agreed standard; naturally; correctly, well.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adverb] > fittingly or properly
welleOE
fairOE
meetlyOE
rightOE
worthlylOE
haghelyc1175
worthilyc1175
becomelyc1200
properly?c1225
i-semelichec1275
thriftilyc1374
duly1382
sittinglyc1390
justlyc1392
rightfula1400
goodlyc1400
hemelyc1400
meeta1450
statelya1450
ensuingly?1518
handsomely1525
worshipfully1532
decently1552
due1581
meeterly1589
fairly1600
beseemingly1611
dightly1616
becomingly1624
befittingly1638
fittinglya1643
condecently1656
c1392 Equatorie of Planetis 28 (MED) Ne write no names of signes..til þt thow hast proued þt thi comune centre defferent is treweli & justli set in direct of the closere of the signes of thin equatorie.
c1434 J. Drury Eng. Writings in Speculum (1934) 9 78 (MED) Þe harre tre mevyng rythly gouernyth iustly þe dore or þe ȝate.
1551 R. Record Pathway to Knowl. To Rdr. Neither is mi wit so finelie filed..that I maie perform iustlie so learned a laboure.
c1660 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1644 (1955) II. 130 The Walkes are..so justly planted with limes, Elmes & other Trees.
1734 Gentleman's Mag. Sept. 503/2 Justly proportion'd like the stars above.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth IV. 286 The tiger will more willingly attack any other animal..than one whose strength is so justly employed.
1783 H. Blair Lect. Rhetoric II. xxx. 146 Our Author's second illustration, is taken from praise being the most disinterested act of homage. This he explains justly and elegantly.
1846 W. H. Seward Argument in Def. W. Freeman 2/1 A tower, if justly built, is ranged; that is, it is ranged by the plummet.
1922 T. E. Rankin & W. M. Aikin Amer. Lit. iii. 67 In serenity, in calm poise, and in a justly balanced optimism in his outlook upon life, [Washington] Irving was kindred to the Father of the American Republic.
2011 C. A. Gagnon Feravale xxi. 275 Like most men of his breed, he was very tall and justly proportioned.
5. In accordance with reason, truth, or reality; with good reason or truth; justifiably, properly.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > [adverb]
with reasonc1300
skilfullyc1325
skillwiselya1340
skilfula1400
reasonablyc1400
of reason1405
in reasona1450
upon reasonc1450
reasonfully1532
justlya1538
rationablya1540
reasonally1567
reasonable1573
as soon (as)1579
rationally1610
to reason1613
rational1662
correctlya1704
rightly1703
upon the weight of1710
legitimately1794
well-foundedly?1841
tarblish1842
sanely1884
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > truthfulness, veracity > [adverb] > so as to match truth, exactly
rightlyeOE
rightOE
faithfullyc1425
preciselya1513
justlya1538
verbatim1566
strictly1602
exactly1662
correctlya1704
prezactly1835
sensu stricto1849
perzactly1850
'zackly1886
a1400 in T. Wright & J. O. Halliwell Reliquiæ Antiquæ (1845) II. 52 (MED) The pleyinge of Ismael, that was the sone of the servant, with Isaac, that was the sone of the fre womman, was justly reprovyd.
c1450 (?a1422) J. Lydgate Life Our Lady (Durh.) v. l. 539 This worde phagi..Is sayde of fedyng..Þerfore þis dai..Ye Iustely maye phagyphanye it call.
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 33 Thes are the most general partys of thys polytyke body wych may justely be resemblyd..to thos chefe partys in mannys body.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary iii. 267 They retired in a close body and good array..so as they could not be justly said to flie.
1679 W. Penn Addr. Protestants (1692) i. i. 3 This I justly fear and take to be our case.
1755 J. Wesley Primitive Physick (ed. 5) Postscript verso These, Physicians have justly termed edged Tools.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. iv. 510 James justly regarded these renegades as the most serviceable tools that he could employ.
1880 T. H. Huxley in Nature 4 Nov. 2/1 That the abyssal plains were ever all elevated, at once, is certainly so improbable that it may justly be termed inconceivable.
1945 C. Barrett Austral. Bird Life 38 The swoop of the collared sparrowhawk..has justly been likened to the flight of an arrow.
1987 ‘A. Burgess’ Little Wilson & Big God (U.K. ed.) iv. 277 The point the lecturer was, perhaps justly, making was that a democracy ought to look after its fighting men.
2001 Salina (Kansas) Jrnl. 21 Apr. a11/2 We are justly proud of the decline in crime.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.a1375