lownlyadv.
/ˈlaʊnli/, U.S. /ˈlaʊnli/, Scottish English /ˈlʌʊnlɪ/ Scottish. Now rare.
1. So as to be sheltered or protected; cosily, snugly. Cf. lown adv. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > physical comfort > [adverb]
softOE
at likinga1398
commodiously1420
beinly?a1500
at home1531
in sufficiencec1550
softly1567
snugly1590
easefully1611
comfortably1634
cosily1721
lown1724
snug1766
lownly1788
tosh1808
comfily1917
1788 E. Picken Poems & Epist. 56 His todlan wee anes..Nurs't lownly up aneath his care.
1843 J. Ballantine Gaberlunzie's Wallet 22 Nae sooner hae ye gotten yersell planted lownly by the ingle-cheek nor ye begin to pawn yere trash.
1907 N. Munro Daft Days xix. 164 In that old Scottish garden, sheltered lownly in the neuk of the burgh walls.
2. Softly, quietly; in a low voice. Cf. lown adv. 1.In quot. 1820 in pseudo-archaic use.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > quietness or tranquillity > [adverb]
softOE
i-semelichec1275
peaceablya1382
restfully1433
quietly1488
quietously1546
restly1561
quiet1568
calmly1597
reposedly1598
lowna1600
undisturbedly1647
peacefully1667
tranquilly1756
stilly1802
lownly1820
reposefully1852
sleepily1873
1820 J. Hogg Winter Evening Tales II. 41 Scho skyrit to knuife lownly or siccarlye on thilke sauchning.
1890 J. Service Thir Notandums viii. 53 Lownly my faither leuch to himsel'.
1905 J. Lumsden Croonings 187 A soughin' wind aff Ballencrieve Sings lownly that thou'rt now the Grieve Of that fine farm!
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.1788