prudishlyadv.
/ˈpruːdᵻʃli/, U.S. /ˈprudᵻʃli/ In a prudish manner; with excessive or affected concern for modesty or propriety, esp. in relation to sexual matters.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > affected behaviour or affectation > [adverb] > in affected proper manner
priggishly1721
primly1733
prudishly1742
maiden-auntishly1928
prissily1934
1742 A. Pope New Dunciad 188 Nor wert thou, Isis! wanting to the day, (Tho' Christ-church long kept prudishly away).
1785 Camilla I. xi. 82 I am no coquette; neither would I be prudishly shy.
1845 J. F. Cooper Satanstoe I. xiii. 203 Anneke did not prudishly decline putting her own little hand in mine.
1881 Times 22 Sept. 8/3 They only wear a shawl on their heads, which they now and then prudishly or coquettishly draw before their faces.
1928 D. H. Lawrence Lady Chatterley's Lover iv. 37 You don't prudishly put your tongue between your teeth and bite it. You just say out your say.
1996 Nation 20 May 34/2 In this spirit of technocratic purity, Cohen prudishly forgoes all but the slightest mention of the economic policies and imperialist politics.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.1742