meltinglyadv.
/ˈmɛltɪŋli/, U.S. /ˈmɛltɪŋli/ In a melting manner; in a touching or affecting way; so as to melt (esp. in the mouth).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > making or becoming liquid > action or process of melting > [adverb]
meltinga1398
meltinglya1586
moltenly1859
the mind > emotion > compassion > quality of exciting pity > [adverb]
rulyeOE
ruefullyc1225
ruthfullyc1225
piteouslyc1300
miserably?a1425
piteousc1425
pitifullyc1450
pietously1474
touchingly?1507
lamentably1585
pitiful1600
pitiedly1661
meltingly1680
pitiably1688
pathetic1724
pathetically1740
the mind > emotion > love > tenderness > [adverb] > specific
over-tenderlyc1475
loving-kindlya1599
meltingly1680
kindheartedly1803
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) ii. xvii. sig. Z8 Lying..with her face so bent ouer Ladon, that (her teares falling into the water) one might haue thought, that she began meltingly to be metamorphosed to the vnder-running riuer.
1680 Revenge; or, Match in Newgate i. i. 7 Kiss him as you do me, as soft and meltingly.
a1727 W. Pattison Cupid's Metamorph. (1728) 52 Your flowing Vest Disclos'd the naked Wonders of your Breast, How meltingly the snowy Globes arose!
1827 W. Scott Jrnl. 30 July (1941) 83 James Ballantyne marchd on too, somewhat meltingly, but without complaint.
1888 R. Dowling Miracle Gold II. xix. 107 That wonderful, irresistible, meltingly affectionate voice.
1960 W. Percy Moviegoer i. v. 39 When she comes to a phrase which once united us in a special bond and to which once I opened myself as meltingly as a young girl, I harden myself.
1998 P. Chapman 1999 Good Curry Guide 383 Brinjal Bhajee, large chunks of meltingly fabulous aubergine, well spiced.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2001; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.a1586