ratherlyadv.
/ˈrɑːðəli/, U.S. /ˈræðərli/, Scottish English /ˈraθərlɪ/, /ˈreθərlɪ/, Irish English /ˈraːðərli/, Manx English /ˈrɑːðəli/, /ˈræːðəli/ Scottish, Irish English (northern), Manx English, and English regional (northern).
= rather adv. (in various senses).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > truthfulness, veracity > [adverb] > more truly or correctly
rather1340
rather1460
better1526
to say better1536
rectius1575
ratherly1780
1780 West's Guide to Lakes (ed. 2) 100 These particulars, and a number of swampy patches..give the face of these mountains a ratherly savage and depressing look.
1824 J. Mactaggart Sc. Gallovidian Encycl. 162 He was ratherly what was called a jobber.
1830 J. Wilson in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 28 835 Whose looks gar you ratherly incline to the ither side.
1894 H. Caine Manxman ii. i. 53 His deep voice that..trembled ratherly.
1953 M. Traynor Eng. Dial. Donegal 227/2 Ratherly,..rather (H). I ratherly think so.
2001 Herald (Glasgow) (Nexis) 15 Dec. 10 They bounced straight back up, the next season (which is the highlight of his time with Hibs) but have now struggled ratherly badly this season.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.1780