neshlyadv.
/ˈnɛʃli/, U.S. /ˈnɛʃli/ Now regional.
Softly, silently; gently.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > softness > [adverb]
neshlyeOE
lushlyc1440
tenderly1604
the mind > emotion > love > tenderness > [adverb]
neshlyeOE
neshc1175
tenderlya1400
sensitively1600
cherishingly1611
tenderfully1640
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [adverb] > without harshness or gently
lightlyeOE
neshlyeOE
fairOE
neshc1175
softlyc1225
softa1325
hoolya1340
tenderlyc1385
soft and fair(ly)c1391
weakly1398
delicately?a1425
prettilyc1500
gently1533
gentle1548
breathingly1662
blandly1827
sparingly1863
piano1873
gauzily1903
creamily1948
eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care (Hatton) (1871) xliii. 313 Ðonne he his wambe sua hnesclice olecð.
eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care (Hatton) (1871) xxi. 159 Ðæt ðonne bið ðæs recceres ryht..ðæt he his hieremonna yfelu to hnesclice forberan ne sceal.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 149v The kyte is..neischliche [L. molliter] fleyng for he is I-bore vp aboue þe eire wiþ liȝt feþeres.
c1425 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Harl.) 435 Þys gode Mold..wess þe mysseles vet..And wypede ys nesselyche.
a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 242 Noght vpon harde erthe ne Pament, but vpon erthe nesshly y-stawet or russhet.
1875 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Words Whitby 131/1 Neshly, noiselessly.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.eOE