softlyadj.

Brit.

/ˈsɒf(t)li/, U.S.

/ˈsɔf(t)li/,

/ˈsɑf(t)li/

Forms: see soft adj. and -ly suffix¹.

Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: soft adj., -ly suffix¹.

Etymology: < soft adj. + -ly suffix¹.Compare Middle Dutch sachtelijc , Old High German samftlīh (Middle High German senftlich ; compare discussion at soft adj.). Compare Old English sēftlic luxurious, easy (in an isolated attestation; < sefte adj. + -ly suffix¹).

Always much less common than soft, esp. after the early 18th cent.

†1. Of pace: easy, leisurely, slow; = soft adj. 5a. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > rate of motion > slowness > [adjective] > of pace

slackc1000

amblinga1470

softly1572

slow-paced1610

downtempo1972

1572 R. Harrison tr. L. Lavater Of Ghostes i. xii. 59 The image goeth before with a softely pase [L. lento gradu].

1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene vi. vii. sig. Ee4 The gentle Prince..they spyde, Ryding a softly pace.

1647 J. Trapp Mellificium Theol. in Comm. Epist. & Rev. 671 When God came to punish Adam he came slowly,..with a softly pace and still voice.

1690 H. Lukin Let. 21 Nov. in T. Rogers Disc. Trouble of Mind (1691) p. xxxv Some..keep on a fair and softly pace towards Heaven.

2. Of sound, the voice, etc.: not loud; quiet, low, subdued. Cf. soft adj. 2b(a).

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > pleasantness of sound > [adjective] > gentle or not harsh

smalleOE

softc1230

gentle1548

softly1576

melting1585

mellow1650

dulcified1684

tender1709

silken1785

smooth1836

velvety1896

1576 A. Fleming tr. Hippocrates in Panoplie Epist. 276 Out of the hill ranne a pleasant spring, which made a gentle and softly sounde [L. placide resonabat].

1653 H. Holcroft tr. Procopius Gothick Warre iv. 141 in tr. Procopius Hist. Warres Justinian They..heare a softly voice calling them to the businesse.

1853 Jrnl. Progress Sept. 29/1 Only when he was roused by the Muezzin's midnight cry..did he venture to breathe, even in the softliest whisper, the name of the Christian Prophet.

1938 Austral. Musical News June 11/1 The Melbourne Symphony awoke to the softliest calls of the horn to make in its turn the tread of elves on gossamer.

2010 S. Nguyen Hey, Dad (e-book, accessed 1 Apr. 2016) ix. 70 He said with a softly voice. ‘I'm okay!’

3. Soft in texture or consistency; yielding; smooth. Also figurative of a person's intelligence (cf. sense 5). Cf. soft adj. 10, 11.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > constitution of matter > softness > [adjective]

lithec888

merroweOE

neshOE

tender?c1225

softa1250

unharda1300

supplec1325

melchc1350

unsad1398

slobbery?a1425

lushc1440

mulch?1440

gentle1555

mellow1577

softly1589

tenerous1598

siddow1601

maumy1728

frush1848

1589 A. Fleming tr. Virgil Georgiks iii. 39 in A. Fleming tr. Virgil Bucoliks The fole or colt..laies down to rest his softly [L. mollia] legs.

1606 G. W. tr. Epit. Liues Emperors in tr. Justinus Hist. sig. Hh 4 This was a prince of a softly wit [L. socordis ingenii].

1661 A. Brome Songs & Other Poems 191 Our bold Ancestors..held a smooth and softly skin to be An argument of Mens effeminacy.

1993 K. Dalton Six-gun Shootout x. 137 Bare to the waist with only a pair of softly silk bloomers covering her.

2012 J. Tulloch & R. W. Blood Icons of War & Terror ii. 43 White sand is exotic, but it is also a softly material.

4. Soft in character or disposition; gentle, considerate; unassuming; not harsh or rigid.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > sex and gender > female > effeminacy > [adjective]

womanly?c1225

ferbleta1300

effeminatea1393

nicea1393

softc1450

manlessa1529

unmanly1534

cockney1573

effeminated1580

unmanlikea1586

milky1602

enervate1603

womanizing1615

emasculate1622

womanized1624

softly1643

womanlish1647

unmasculine1649

emollid1656

ladylike1656

enervated1660

emasculated1701

petticoated1708

tea-faced1728

effeminized1789

invirile1870

epicene1881

sissyish1889

sissified1898

devirilized1901

cockless1902

camp1909

pansy1929

campy1932

queenly1933

poncy1937

pansyish1941

swishy1941

moffie1954

poofy1956

femme1963

poofed-up1964

minty1965

ponced-up1970

lavender1979

1643 R. Baker Chron. Kings of Eng. i. 42 The softly disposition of his sonne Robert.

1672 A. Marvell Rehearsal Transpros'd i. 83 A Person..of such a tame and softly humour.

1741 S. Richardson Pamela IV. xxxviii. 238 The Viscount, (whose softly Character, and his Lady's..respectful Conduct to him, notwithstanding that, are both so well known).

1826 U.S. Lit. Gaz. Sept. 420 That softly way which the Boston people have of talking and walking, and doing every thing, the Irish have actually caught.

1875 H. B. Stowe Deacon Pitkin's Farm ii, in Christian Union 10 Nov. 378/1 Oh, he allers was sot on eddication, and Miss Pitkin she's sot on't, too, in her softly way, and softly women is them that giner'lly carries their pints, fust or last.

1898 A. T. Slosson Dumb Foxglove 207 ‘Tain't worth speaking of, Mis' Harris,’ he says, in his softly way. ‘I was dreadful glad to help ye.’

1954 M. A. Wilson Lovers vii. 140 He had always been considered a softly man; if anything, too calm.

1991 Bulletin (Sydney) 19 Feb. 114/2 I like not such one-side femmists, I like a softly woman for my uses.

†5. Lacking in intelligence or common sense; silly, foolish. Cf. soft adj. 22a. Obsolete (English regional in later use).Cf. quot. 1606 at sense 3.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > weakness of intellect > simplicity, simple-mindedness > [adjective]

weak1423

simple-hearted?c1425

good1480

innocent1548

plain-headeda1586

simple1604

green1605

zany1616

soft1621

ungifted1637

softly1652

half-witted1712

simple-minded1749

simpletonic1780

simpletonian1800

sawney1805

simpletonish1819

simply disposed1848

putty-headed1857

cabbage-looking1898

goonish1921

wally1922

1652 G. Fidge Eng. Gusman 10 (margin) The Counstable was a softly man.

1688 G. Miege Great French Dict. ii. sig. Qqq 4/3 A softly Man, a Nidget, or Ninny.

1715 J. Barker Exilius i. 101 If woman did not moderate his Rule, He'd be a Tyrant, or a softly Fool.

1883 T. Lees Easther's Gloss. Dial. Almondbury & Huddersfield 124 Softly, soft-headed; foolish.

†6. Lacking in energy or enterprise. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > inaction > disinclination to act or listlessness > [adjective]

unlustyc1225

sleepyc1384

phlegmatica1400

listlessc1440

owlist1440

unlisty1440

phlegmyc1450

sweyntc1450

supine1554

resty1565

unactive1591

sleepy-headed1600

log-like1602

inertious1611

stupefied?1611

lethargic1612

sedentary1625

torpent1647

torpid1656

torpulent1657

softly1664

inert1774

vegetative1789

spiritless1798

unenergetic1805

sloomy1820

slow-going1825

inenergetic1826

comatose1828

moony1847

mooning1864

torpid-minded1909

narcoleptic1965

vegged1986

1664 R. Verney Let. Dec. in M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family Restoration to Revol. (1899) 74 Many of them are very slow, & (as we call them) softly persons.

1688 G. Miege Great French Dict. ii. sig. Qqq4/3 A softly Man, a Man that lacks to be stirring.

1770 J. Adams Diary 8 July (1961) I. 358 The softly People where I lodge..are the Opposites of every Thing great, spirited and enterprizing.

1869 H. B. Stowe Oldtown Folks xxvii. 343 All that softly shiftless class, who..are never to be found with anything in hand at the moment that it is wanted.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

softlyadv.

Brit.

/ˈsɒf(t)li/, U.S.

/ˈsɔf(t)li/,

/ˈsɑf(t)li/

Forms: see soft adj. and -ly suffix²; also early Middle English fofteliche (transmission error), Middle English sofly, Middle English soflych, Middle English softili, Middle English softily, 1500s soughtly.

Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: soft adj., -ly suffix².

Etymology: < soft adj. + -ly suffix². Compare Middle Dutch sachtelike (Dutch zachtelijk ), Middle Low German sachtlīke , sachtelīke , Old High German samftlīhho . Compare earlier soft adv.Earlier currency (in sense 1) is probably implied by Old English unsōftlīce harshly. N.E.D. (1913) gives the pronunciation as (sǫ̀·ftli) /ˈsɒftlɪ/, /ˈsɔːftlɪ/ (see discussion at soft adj.).

1. Gently, carefully, tenderly; in such a manner as to avoid causing pain or injury; without force or violence; with gentle action.

ΘΚΠ

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

the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [adverb] > without harshness or gently > and gradually or quietly

softc1275

piano piano1601

softly1785

c1225 (?OE) Soul's Addr. to Body (Worcester) (Fragm. A) l. 5 Softliche he heo isom[nede].

c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 1614 So he dede sikerliche, & seþþe he was heled softliche.

a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 677 Þan in his saddest solas softili he a-waked.

a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) iv. l. 2885 (MED) Into hire bedd myn herte goth, And softly takth hire in his arm.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8043 Quen þe kyng come ner þaa tres,..He drou þam softili vp i-nogh.

c1475 (a1400) J. Wyclif Eng. Wks. (1880) 314 (MED) Men seyen þat hely þe heyȝ prest was dampned, for he reproued hise sones but to softliche & slowliche.

1540 R. Jonas tr. E. Roesslin Byrth of Mankynde i. f. xxiv^v Then must ye fayre and softely thrust it backe agayne.

1592 Arden of Feversham iii. vi Then softly drawes she foorth her hand kercher.

1611 Bible (King James) Acts xxvii. 13 And when the South wind blew softly,..they sailed close by Creete.

1695 Ld. Preston tr. Boethius Of Consol. Philos. iii. 151 It is then the Sovereign Good which ruleth all things powerfully, and disposeth them softly.

1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 285 Friday..set him down softly upon the Side or Gunnel of the Canoe.

1785 W. Cowper Task i. 762 The moon-beam, sliding softly in between The sleeping leaves.

1816 J. Wilson City of Plague ii. ii. 219 How softly on the dreamer's head They lay their..hands.

1841 G. P. R. James Brigand xxiv Meyrand will treat you tenderly and softly.

1908 Harper's Monthly Mag. May 968/2 I just patted her softly, like you would a baby.

2009 J. Bloss Band Geeked Out xvi. 136 ‘Okay,’ she said, softly stroking my back.

a. So as to avoid observation or notice; unobtrusively.In many instances that appear to show this sense, sense 2b is implied or may be the intended meaning, and vice versa.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > stealthy action, stealth > [adverb]

softlyc1225

by stalea1240

privilya1250

slylyc1275

thieflyc1290

stealingly13..

by stealth1390

stalworthlya1400

theftfullyc1400

theftlyc1400

theftuouslyc1400

under veilc1425

thievishly?c1450

by theft1488

quietly1488

furtively1490

by surreption1526

hugger-muggera1529

in hugger-mugger1529

underhand1538

insidiously1545

creepingly1548

surreptiously1573

underboard1582

filchingly1583

sneakingly1598

underwater1600

slipperily1603

thief-likea1625

clandestinely1632

surreptitiously1643

thievously1658

clancularly1699

stownlins1786

stealthily1806

underhandedly1806

stolen-wise1813

on (upon, under, or by) the sly1818

round-the-corner1820

underhanded1823

stealthfully1828

slinkingly1830

slippingly1830

on the sneak?1863

sneakishly1867

behind backs1874

stalkingly1891

on the side1893

under the counter1926

underground1935

under the table1938

down and dirty1959

sneakily1966

c1225 (?c1200) St. Margaret (Royal) (1934) 35 (MED) Ha mahen stepen eft in softeliche to luuien.

c1300 St. Nicholas (Laud) l. 35 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 241 (MED) To a derne wyndouwe softeliche seint Nicholas gan gon.

a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1400 (MED) Priueli un-perceyued, sche praide william þanne to seche softily to hire chaumber as sone as he miȝt.

c1450 Speculum Christiani (Harl. 6580) (1933) 226 (MED) A stronge mynde is sopen vp bi vice softly vndurcrepynge.

1598 B. Yong tr. A. Pérez 2nd Pt. Diana in tr. J. de Montemayor Diana 313 He went softly from thence againe, bicause he would not be seene of Parthenius.

1662 Door opening into Christian Relig. ii. 79 Such natural causes, whose property is to work softly, silently and in a secret way, do not produce their effects with a bluster.

1684 T. Creech tr. Ovid Eleg. i. ii, in Misc. Poems 108 Sure I should know if Love had fixt his Dart, Or creeps he softly in with treacherous Art?

1753 Hist. Sophia Shakespear ii. vii. 135 I got up, and look'd over the Hedge as privately and as softly as I could.

1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 232 We next enquire, but softly and by stealth.

1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. ii. vi. 135 Necker, sees good..to withdraw softly, almost privily.

1889 Macmillan's Mag. Aug. 253/1 I lay stirless, softly sneaking my right hand to the pistol.

1903 Eng. Illustr. Mag. 28 135/2 She had seen him, moving softly, attracting no notice from them, pass the groups of ladies.

1921 J. L. B. Williams tr. S. Lauzanne Great Men & Great Days vi. 127 He had worked softly and silently to render American neutrality benevolent toward France.

2010 Sunday Tribune (Ireland) (Nexis) 4 Apr. s8 Softly, quietly and with the minimum of fuss, he's worked his way back.

b. Quietly, silently, noiselessly; lightly.Often overlapping with sense 2a; see note at that sense.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > inaudibility > [adverb] > silently

stillyc1000

stilla1225

softlyc1330

whistlya1400

silentlya1425

coylyc1475

quietly1488

still1535

huishtly1548

whishtly1548

mutely1587

silentially1627

statuelike1640

tacitly1643

noiselessly1794

soundlessly1837

soundless1844

mouse-like1874

quietlike1909

the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > faintness or weakness > [adverb] > without much noise

stilla1225

lowc1275

softc1275

stilledlyc1275

softlyc1330

fairly?a1425

basely1562

piano piano1601

smally1611

pacatelya1652

impercussively1694

pianissimoc1710

deftly1787

suppressedly1825

c1330 Sir Orfeo (Auch.) (1966) l. 300 (MED) Kniȝtes & leuedis com daunceing In queynt atire, gisely, Queynt pas & softly.

c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Reeve's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 138 Out of the dore he gooth..Whan þ^t he saugh his tyme, softely.

c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 698 He..Sylis softely him selfe þe cite with-outen.

1587 G. Turberville Tragicall Tales f. 77 And vp they thrust the same [door], And softly entred in.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) iv. i. 194 Pray you tread softly, that the blinde Mole may not heare a foot fall.

a1680 J. Glanvill Saducismus Triumphatus (1681) Pref. sig. F4^v Therefore not to make much noise to disturb these infallible Huffers.., I softly step by them.

1703 G. Farquhar Twin-rivals iv. 44 What hears me I—but pat, pat, pat very softly at the Door.

1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth III. 207 When the cat walks, it treads very softly, and without the least noise.

1842 I. Williams Baptistery I. ii. 198 Where Silence.., With felt-shod footsteps softly went.

1865 J. W. Carlyle Lett. III. 274 Coming down stairs very softly, for fear of waking me.

1902 R. Hichens Londoners 5 She withdrew from the room as softly as a cat.

1909 W. Porter Song & Story from Les Cheneaux 27 The snow was softly falling outside.

1966 W. Smith Sound of Thunder xx. 106 The servant closed the door softly and studied his master.

2009 Washington Post (Nexis) 19 Jan. he1 Jump forward and land softly on one foot.

3. Gradually; gently; with scarcely perceptible progress, slope, or angle.

ΚΠ

1372 in E. Wilson Descriptive Index Lyrics John of Grimestone's Preaching Bk. (1973) 21 (MED) Softeliche senne gennet in wende, But it bitet as a neddere at þe ende.

a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. xi. vi. 583 Dewe arisiþ vp preueyliche..and falliþ softliche [L. suauiter] on þe ouermest parties of herbis and gras.

?c1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (Paris) (1971) 326 (MED) Softe chaufinge medecynes..maken superfluyte of blode to swage softely [L. suaviter] and insensibly, i. nouȝt yfeled, in resoluynge.

c1475 in J. P. Genet Four Eng. Polit. Tracts (1977) 206 (MED) Good fortune, whan she cometh softly and slouly at the begynnynge, it is signe that longe she shall endure.

a1500 Apocalypse St. John: B Version (Magd. Cambr.) (1971) 44 (MED) [c1400 Harl. Þei..distressen bi] tyrauntrie, & also bygilen men priuely by sotilte, as þo scorpyoun venyms sofftly þat mon feeles not & so dyes, or he leest wene.

1609 T. Heywood Troia Britanica viii. sig. S5 So bright-hewed Brests so softly sweld,Saue in this maide no Mortall hath beheld.

1663 N. Culpeper & A. Cole tr. D. Sennert Art Chirurg.: 5th Bk. Pract. Physick (new ed.) v. iv. vii. 2622/2 It sufficeth if that while he is awake he have his hand softly inclining upwards.

1785 W. Cowper Task iii. 629 The shapely knoll, That, softly swell'd and gaily dress'd, appears A flow'ry island.

1835 E. Bulwer-Lytton Rienzi II. vi. iii. 321 A high but softly sloping and verdant hill.

1864 J. R. Lowell Fireside Trav. 269 Hills which round softly upward to Monte Cavi.

1968 J. Ironside Fashion Alphabet 195 The hair was cut so that it hung about 8 inches below the shoulders; in front it covered one eye and was softly waved to the end.

2013 B. K. Loren Animal, Mineral, Radical 52 One eyebrow is higher than the other, sharply arched; the other brow curves softly.

4. With a soft or subdued voice or utterance; in a low or gentle tone.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > [adverb] > in an undertone

smalleOE

softlya1375

alowc1400

lowly1440

in mutec1530

inwardly1530

inward1644

sotto voce1737

a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 927 (MED) Melior..seide softily to hire-self þise selue wordes.

c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. iii. l. 38 Þenne com þer a Confessour..And seide ful softely in schrift as hit weore.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 5140 Þer cam to him a messager, And tald him softli in his ere.

c1450 tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage Lyfe Manhode (Cambr.) (1869) 41 Serteyn quod j softeliche ynowh me lakketh.

1544 Letanie in Exhort. vnto Prayer sig. B.iii^v Such among the people, as have bokes..may reade them quietely and softly to them selfe.

1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. ii. sig. Cc7 Thereat she sighing softly, had no powre To speake a while.

1614 J. Donne Lett. (1651) 196 One thing I must tell you; but so softly, that I am loath to hear my self.

1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 49 They that are present say softly, or aloud, if they please [etc.].

1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 168 Some [words] he spoke softly, and I could not well hear others audibly.

1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho III. viii. 447 Emily sighed softly, and bowed her thanks.

1829 W. S. Landor Imaginary Conversat. 2nd Ser. II. xii. 535 I must come behind your chair and whisper softlier.

1894 H. H. Gardener Unofficial Patriot 314 They shook hands over the situation and both fell to crying softly.

1973 D. May Laughter in Djakarta i. 18 The other, Subekto, evidently a Javanese like Sumitro, laughed softly.

2009 P. Bush Out of Snare x. 98 ‘The sooner the better,’ he said softly.

a. In ease or comfort; so as to be soft or comfortable; luxuriously.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > luxury or luxurious living > [adverb]

softlya1375

softc1405

luxuriously1605

plushily1916

a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 2445 (MED) For-wery þei hem rested & þonked god gretliche..& seþþen softli to slepe samen þei hem leide.

c1400 Prose Versions New Test.: Prol. (Selwyn) (1904) 6 Bote he seiþ þat þis wysdom ne is noȝt y-founde in þe lond of men þat [l]yf[e]þ softelyche.

c1425 tr. J. Arderne Treat. Fistula (Sloane 6) (1910) 58 Etyng and slepyng more swetely or softely.

c1550 Contempl. Synnaris (Arun.) 547 in J. A. W. Bennett Devotional Pieces (1955) 100 Think how ye corps, quhilk now is softlie [a1525 Asloan, c1550 Harl. costly] cled, Sall cleith ye cloik of catife corrupcioun.

1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus Recubare mollius, to lie more softely.

1648 H. Hexham Groot Woorden-boeck Zachtelick slapen, to sleepe Softly or Quietly.

a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 58 They endured great hardships; for those parts were not fit to entertain men that had been accustomed to live softly.

1825 W. Scott Talisman vii, in Tales Crusaders III. 173 His couch was trimmed more softly than his master's.

1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems lxviii. 5 Whom nor softly to rest love's tender sanctity suffers.

1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 75 When You make your nest here.., 'Twere well to feather it softly.

1955 Daily Gate City (Keokuk, Iowa) 29 Sept. 4/1 Our high standard of living makes the temptations to live softly greater to Americans.

2012 A. Morel Survive xvii Our heads lie softly on our coats.

b. With or in soft surroundings.

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

the world > matter > constitution of matter > softness > [adverb] > with or in soft surroundings

softly1567

1567 J. Maplet Greene Forest f. 46 It groweth in waterie places and those softlye dighted and banked about.

1689 W. Salmon tr. Y. van Diemerbroeck Anat. Human Bodies i. 146/1 The Amnios is the inner Membrane, next enfolding the Birth and softly enclosing it.

1820 C. Symmons tr. Virgil Æneis (ed. 2) II. xi. 207 To the mid shaft his darling babe he bound, Cradled in cork, and softly swathed around.

1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. vii. vi. 364 Beautiful all; softly embosomed; as if in sadness, in the dim moist weather.

1914 Marion (Ohio) Daily Star 2 May i. 14/1 (advt.) A wonderful little corset that gives you that delightful sense of being softly enveloped and gently supported.

2008 J. Ibbotson tr. L. Rispoli Basic Experience & Devel. of Self v. 76 The mood is of serene tranquility and feeling softly cocooned.

a. In a subdued manner; faintly; (also) lacking sharp definition; subtly.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [adverb] > in a subdued manner

softlya1398

subduedly1826

a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. ii. viii. 72 Þe fure of God brenneþ softliche and sweteliche [L. suauiter ardet], and brenneþ nouȝt wastinge.

1588 C. Lucar Appendix xcvii. 85 in tr. N. Tartaglia 3 Bks. Shooting These things mingled togeather will burne so sloly or softly as you desire that they shoulde doe.

1650 J. Tatham Ostella 28 Let our flames softly burn, and not expire.

1794 T. Dwight Greenfield Hill vi. 136 Rains gently shower; skies softly shine.

a1822 P. B. Shelley Prince Athanase in Posthumous Poems (1824) 107 A cloud..Through which his soul..Shone, softly burning.

1882 W. Sharp D. G. Rossetti iii. 184 Behind..is a figure, also softly aureoled.

1900 J. Barlow From Land of Shamrock 210 The hills beyond it were far enough off to be coloured softly.

1918 Travel Oct. 22/1 The streets were softly glowing with incandescent lights.

2008 Time Out N.Y. 19 June 22/1 The wooden tables and exposed-brick walls are softly lit by chandeliers.

b. Modifying an adjective: to a pleasing or subtle extent; not harshly or strikingly.

ΚΠ

1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho II. ii. 48 A single note..That, softly sweet, at distance dies.

1898 H. Newbolt Admirals All 31 The Norman arch, the chancel softly dark.

1906 Independent Rev. Aug. 230 The spreading, sparkling river, and the wood..were reflected in the stream, and stretched away to the verge of the softly blue heavens.

1963 Fergus Falls (Minnesota) Daily Jrnl. 5 Mar. 8/4 (advt.) Top off spring's softly feminine styles with hats that match their mood.

2011 National Post (Canada) (Nexis) 16 July to4 But first, a glass of the softly seductive Pinot Gris.

†7. With quiet resignation; meekly, humbly. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > calmness > patience > [adverb] > with patient resignation

softlyc1400

philosophically1873

impunitively1958

c1400 (?c1380) Patience l. 529 (MED) For-þy when pouerte me enprecez and paynez in-noȝe, Ful softly with suffraunce saȝttel me bihouez.

a1425 Rule St. Benet (Lansd.) (1902) 45 Sho sal recaiue þe cumandement softelie and wid mekenes.

1534 G. Joye tr. Jeremy Prophete iii. f. cvi It is good, paciently to suffer, and softely to waite for that sauing helth from the Lorde.

a. With a slow, easy, or leisurely pace or motion. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > rate of motion > slowness > [adverb] > and gently

softlyc1400

soberly1477

c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. xvi. l. 29 (MED) We reuerencede reson and romed forth softeliche.

a1475 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Harl. 875) (1867) A. ii. l. 135 On a sysoures backe þat softly trotted.

1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour i. xxvii. sig. Ni As farre or nighe the marke is his arowe, whan he goeth softly, as whan he runneth.

1560 Bible (Geneva) Isa. viii. 6 This people hathe refused the waters of Shiloah that runne softely.

1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 268 Surcharged..with the spoile, he was glad to march softlier.

1654 E. Gayton Pleasant Notes Don Quixot iv. xxiv. 282 Jaques spurr'd and spurr'd, and switch'd, Ride softlier Jaques, shee beseech'd.

1721 J. Swift Let. 30 Apr. in Jrnl. to Stella (2013) 560 He could have easily overtaken me; for I walked softly on purpose.

1759 R. Brown Compl. Farmer 13 Ride him half an hour softly.

a1822 P. B. Shelley tr. J. W. von Goethe Scenes from Faust in Posthumous Poems (1824) 397 You give me full permission To lead him softly on my path.

1897 B. Pain in Eng. Illustr. Mag. Oct. 35/2 By the path that is before us one must ride softly if one would ride safely.

2000 R. Bittner Mystic Visions (2007) xiii. 106 The North Platte River flowed softly nearby, shallow at this time of year.

†b. More generally: in a leisurely, unrushed manner; without haste. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > manner of action > slowness of action or operation > [adverb] > unhurriedly

easily1384

softlyc1450

leisurely1486

leisurablya1540

toomlyc1540

handsomely1550

deliberately1595

pausablya1633

advisedly1655

unhurriedly1880

c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1904) I. 186 He began to syng þis antem..and sang it softlie vnto þe end.

1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iii. f. 128^v Looke besides that they be..great feeders, but softly, and not ouerhastyly.

1622 J. Heigham & T. Everard tr. I. Balsamo Instr. to pray & meditate Well (new ed.) xii. sig. H6^v He must not read in poste-haste, but softly and deuoutly.

?1768–9 Encycl. Brit. (1771) I. 23/2 Adagio, in music, an Italian adverb, signifying softly, leisurely; and is used to denote the slowest of all times, except the grave.

†9. In moderation; in small quantity. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adverb]

lightlyeOE

softlya1450

sparingly1555

a1450 Rule St. Benet (Vesp.) (1902) l. 1603 (MED) Softly sal þai tast & fair Drynk þat may þer hedes inpair, Als myghty wyne or nobil aile.

a1450 Rule St. Benet (Vesp.) (1902) l. 1610 Þarfor es wit..Wine or aile softly to tast.

a1500 (a1450) tr. Secreta Secret. (Ashm. 396) (1977) 99 (MED) Whan þe eyen vnder-laughen softly and moistly..wele taught it sheweth hym þat doth so.

10. As an imperative. Used either to enjoin silence or deprecate haste; = soft adv. 7. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > inaudibility > be silent [interjection]

silence?c1225

peacec1390

whista1425

softlya1500

softc1500

husht1532

ist1540

st1552

soft and peace1576

pocas palabras1592

isse1598

hist1599

whish1635

whisht1684

quiet1814

fusht1816

pax1843

sh1847

pst1863

ciunas1987

the world > action or operation > manner of action > slowness of action or operation > [interjection] > deprecating haste

softlya1500

softc1500

soft swift1597

pole pole1934

a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xxiv. 316 Fare and softly, sir, and say not to far.

1583 G. Babington Briefe Conf. Frailtie & Faith 53 Softlie Frailtie, softlie, your tongue tumbleth too fast.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) i. ii. 238 Softly my Masters.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iv. iii. 72 Softly, deere sir: good sir, softly .

1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 115 Softly a while, Let us not break in upon him.

1742 H. Fielding Joseph Andrews I. ii. vii. 210 He cry'd, Softly, softly Boys, to his Hourses.

1766 G. Colman & D. Garrick Clandestine Marriage v. 76 Well, but softly, Betsey!—you are all in emotion.

1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin I. xvii. 288 ‘Softly, softly; don't thee snap and snarl, friend,’ said Phineas.

1894 Atlantic Monthly Nov. 585/1 Softly, now. It's only me.

1907 Secret Service 25 Jan. 19/2 ‘Softly, softly,’ said Harry. ‘You are getting nervous, Alice, and someone may overhear us’.

1980 ‘M. Innes’ Going it Alone (2001) xx. 146 ‘Softly, softly!’ Tim was murmuring... ‘Just go easy there.’

Phrases

P1. Chiefly British, Irish English, Australian, and New Zealand.

a. Proverbial phrase. softly, softly, catchee monkey and variants: advocating caution or guile as the best way to achieve an end.The proverb apparently originates in West Africa; quot. 1832 records its use in Demerara (now part of Guyana). [Compare e.g. Cameroon Pidgin English sofli, sofli, kas monki and Mende klo, klo, mia kua hu, lit. ‘slowly, slowly is monkey meat’.]

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > guile is the best means [phrase]

softly1832

the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > caution > with caution [phrase] > admonition to proceed cautiously

a soft fire makes sweet malt1532

softly1832

1832 A. Henderson Sc. Prov. Pref. p. lvii Safly, safly, catch monkey, ye hiri. They must go softly that catch a monkey, ye hear!

1840 A. Polson Law & Lawyers I. i. 22 ‘Prudens qui patiens’, was the motto of our great Coke:..which the negro pithily paraphrases—‘Softly, softly, catch monkey’.

1865 R. F. Burton Wit & Wisdom from W. Afr. Pref. p. xiii I should rather explain this by our kindred expression, ‘introduce the sharp edge of the wedge first’; or, as the West Africans say, ‘Softly! Softly caught the monkey.’

1896 R. S. S. Baden-Powell Downfall Prempeh Author's Apol. 13 A smile and a stick will carry you through any difficulty in the world, more especially if you act upon the old West Coast motto, ‘Softly, softly, catchee monkey’.

1942 N. Balchin Darkness falls from Air x. 176 Softly catch monkey... That's the answer.

1962 P. Brickhill Deadline xiii. 152 I didn't pursue it any further then. Softly, softly, catchee monkey—and I hated that phrase.

2002 R. Gervais & S. Merchant Office: Scripts 1st Ser. Episode 2. 83 I am trained in covert operations. You know the phrase ‘Softly softly catchy monkey?’

b. softly, softly.

(a) Elliptically for softly, softly, catchee monkey at Phrases 1a.

ΚΠ

1850 T. E. Poole Life, Scenery & Customs Sierra Leone & Gambia I. iv. 31 ‘Softly, softly,’ is a pertinent axiom of the black man, when he would imply his opinion that some one was undertaking and carrying on any work too unadvisedly and inconsiderately.

1967 Autocar 28 Dec. 7/1 Softly, softly is our policy too, but not at such expense in time.

1970 Sunday Times 5 July 11 (heading) Ulster: end of ‘softly, softly’.

2001 R. Hill Dialogues of Dead (2002) xlv. 503 Let's talk to Mr Dee again, but softly, softly. No point in putting the boot in till we know what we're kicking.

(b) attributive, esp. in softly, softly approach, with the sense ‘cautious, guileful’.

ΚΠ

1944 F. E. Kenchington Commoners' New Forest xvii. 142 It is that ‘primarily’ with which I quarrel, and the ‘softly, softly’ manner in which the ancient life of the soil is edged along courteously into third place.

1961 Irish Times 17 Oct. 6/2 Their colleagues in the Unionist Group, who prefer the ‘softly, softly’ approach, have almost disowned them.

1974 New Scientist 28 Feb. 563/2 Dahrendorf has been following a ‘softly, softly’ policy.

1979 Now! 14 Sept. 53/2 Sadat and Begin..are both adopting a ‘softly-softly’ approach to the Palestinian problem.

1986 New Scientist 31 July 15/1 The ‘softly, softly’ tone of their advice.

2013 Derby Evening Tel. (Nexis) 24 Apr. 15 The softly, softly approach isn't working and the prison sentence is not a strong enough deterrent.

P2. fair and softly: see fair and softly at fair adv. 5a. (Cf. soft adv. Phrases 1a.)

Compounds

C1.

a. Forming adjectives with present participles, as softly-breathing, softly-burning, softly-gliding, etc.

ΚΠ

1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne xiii. xl. 242 Him thought he heard the softly whistling winde. [No corresponding word in the Italian original.]

1681 J. Dryden Spanish Fryar v. i. 66 I..listned to each softly treading step.

1703 N. Rowe Fair Penitent ii. i The sprightly String and softly-breathing Flute.

1726 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey IV. xv. 390 The softly-stealing pace of time.

1818 Gentleman's Mag. 88 62/1 Thames does, by Oxford, softly-pacing, run.

1864 W. C. Bryant Thirty Poems 38 The softly gliding, bashful stream.

1907 J. Joyce Chamber Music xv Eastward the gradual dawn prevails Where softly-burning fires appear.

1924 E. Sitwell Sleeping Beauty xvii. 68 To catch the softly-smiling wind.

1949 U. Sinclair O Shepherd Speak! (2001) I. ii. vi. 101 The two men..went for a walk in the softly falling snow.

2013 National (Abu Dhabi) (Nexis) 3 Nov. The only other illumination is from softly glowing lamps.

b. Forming adjectives with past participles, as softly-coloured, softly lit, softly-worded, etc.

ΚΠ

a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) i. iv. 22 A softly-sprighted man, is he not?

1830 Ld. Tennyson Sleeping Beauty ii, in Poems 144 Glows forth each softly-shadowed arm.

1846 Fraser's Mag June 603/1 A softly worded apology for the ‘rights of man’.

1859 C. Dickens Tale of Two Cities ii. ix. 83 His softly-slippered feet making no noise.

1876 ‘Ouida’ In Winter City ix. 249 Making the trifle the medium of a softly-hinted tenderness.

1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. xiii. [Nausicaa] 334 This..lent to her softlyfeatured face at whiles a look..that imparted a strange yearning tendency to the beautiful eyes.

1963 Oxf. Bk. Garden Flowers 94/1 Perpetual flowering shrubs, varying in height from 4–6ft., mostly with double softly-coloured flowers.

2007 Org. Gardening May 65/1 If your yard permits, locate your evening garden at the end of a softly lit path.

C2.

softly-spoken adj. having, or speaking with, a gentle and quiet voice; courteous in speech; cf. soft-spoken adj. 1.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > [adjective] > in speech

fair-spokec1450

fair-spokena1464

well bespoken?1473

soft-spoken1616

softly-spoken1851

the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > quality of voice > [adjective] > pleasant > soft or gentle voice > having

softc1230

soft-spoken1616

soft-tongued1660

softly-spoken1851

1851 Reynold's Weekly Newspaper 9 Feb. 2/3 ‘If you please, ma'am,’ said the softly-spoken, softly-shod domestic, ‘there are some people without who say they must speak to you.’

1957 Times of India 17 Mar. 7/1 Luisa fell head over heels in love with a softly-spoken young Frenchman.

2014 Daily Tel. 17 Mar. 16 The 56-year-old Belgian replaces another softly-spoken and urbane manager.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	softly
释义	softlyadj. Brit. /ˈsɒf(t)li/, U.S. /ˈsɔf(t)li/, /ˈsɑf(t)li/ Forms: see soft adj. and -ly suffix¹. Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: soft adj., -ly suffix¹. Etymology: < soft adj. + -ly suffix¹.Compare Middle Dutch sachtelijc , Old High German samftlīh (Middle High German senftlich ; compare discussion at soft adj.). Compare Old English sēftlic luxurious, easy (in an isolated attestation; < sefte adj. + -ly suffix¹). Always much less common than soft, esp. after the early 18th cent. †1. Of pace: easy, leisurely, slow; = soft adj. 5a. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > rate of motion > slowness > [adjective] > of pace slackc1000 amblinga1470 softly1572 slow-paced1610 downtempo1972 1572 R. Harrison tr. L. Lavater Of Ghostes i. xii. 59 The image goeth before with a softely pase [L. lento gradu]. 1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene vi. vii. sig. Ee4 The gentle Prince..they spyde, Ryding a softly pace. View more context for this quotation 1647 J. Trapp Mellificium Theol. in Comm. Epist. & Rev. 671 When God came to punish Adam he came slowly,..with a softly pace and still voice. 1690 H. Lukin Let. 21 Nov. in T. Rogers Disc. Trouble of Mind (1691) p. xxxv Some..keep on a fair and softly pace towards Heaven. 2. Of sound, the voice, etc.: not loud; quiet, low, subdued. Cf. soft adj. 2b(a). ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > pleasantness of sound > [adjective] > gentle or not harsh smalleOE softc1230 gentle1548 softly1576 melting1585 mellow1650 dulcified1684 tender1709 silken1785 smooth1836 velvety1896 1576 A. Fleming tr. Hippocrates in Panoplie Epist. 276 Out of the hill ranne a pleasant spring, which made a gentle and softly sounde [L. placide resonabat]. 1653 H. Holcroft tr. Procopius Gothick Warre iv. 141 in tr. Procopius Hist. Warres Justinian They..heare a softly voice calling them to the businesse. 1853 Jrnl. Progress Sept. 29/1 Only when he was roused by the Muezzin's midnight cry..did he venture to breathe, even in the softliest whisper, the name of the Christian Prophet. 1938 Austral. Musical News June 11/1 The Melbourne Symphony awoke to the softliest calls of the horn to make in its turn the tread of elves on gossamer. 2010 S. Nguyen Hey, Dad (e-book, accessed 1 Apr. 2016) ix. 70 He said with a softly voice. ‘I'm okay!’ 3. Soft in texture or consistency; yielding; smooth. Also figurative of a person's intelligence (cf. sense 5). Cf. soft adj. 10, 11. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > constitution of matter > softness > [adjective] lithec888 merroweOE neshOE tender?c1225 softa1250 unharda1300 supplec1325 melchc1350 unsad1398 slobbery?a1425 lushc1440 mulch?1440 gentle1555 mellow1577 softly1589 tenerous1598 siddow1601 maumy1728 frush1848 1589 A. Fleming tr. Virgil Georgiks iii. 39 in A. Fleming tr. Virgil Bucoliks The fole or colt..laies down to rest his softly [L. mollia] legs. 1606 G. W. tr. Epit. Liues Emperors in tr. Justinus Hist. sig. Hh 4 This was a prince of a softly wit [L. socordis ingenii]. 1661 A. Brome Songs & Other Poems 191 Our bold Ancestors..held a smooth and softly skin to be An argument of Mens effeminacy. 1993 K. Dalton Six-gun Shootout x. 137 Bare to the waist with only a pair of softly silk bloomers covering her. 2012 J. Tulloch & R. W. Blood Icons of War & Terror ii. 43 White sand is exotic, but it is also a softly material. 4. Soft in character or disposition; gentle, considerate; unassuming; not harsh or rigid. ΘΚΠ the world > life > sex and gender > female > effeminacy > [adjective] womanly?c1225 ferbleta1300 effeminatea1393 nicea1393 softc1450 manlessa1529 unmanly1534 cockney1573 effeminated1580 unmanlikea1586 milky1602 enervate1603 womanizing1615 emasculate1622 womanized1624 softly1643 womanlish1647 unmasculine1649 emollid1656 ladylike1656 enervated1660 emasculated1701 petticoated1708 tea-faced1728 effeminized1789 invirile1870 epicene1881 sissyish1889 sissified1898 devirilized1901 cockless1902 camp1909 pansy1929 campy1932 queenly1933 poncy1937 pansyish1941 swishy1941 moffie1954 poofy1956 femme1963 poofed-up1964 minty1965 ponced-up1970 lavender1979 1643 R. Baker Chron. Kings of Eng. i. 42 The softly disposition of his sonne Robert. 1672 A. Marvell Rehearsal Transpros'd i. 83 A Person..of such a tame and softly humour. 1741 S. Richardson Pamela IV. xxxviii. 238 The Viscount, (whose softly Character, and his Lady's..respectful Conduct to him, notwithstanding that, are both so well known). 1826 U.S. Lit. Gaz. Sept. 420 That softly way which the Boston people have of talking and walking, and doing every thing, the Irish have actually caught. 1875 H. B. Stowe Deacon Pitkin's Farm ii, in Christian Union 10 Nov. 378/1 Oh, he allers was sot on eddication, and Miss Pitkin she's sot on't, too, in her softly way, and softly women is them that giner'lly carries their pints, fust or last. 1898 A. T. Slosson Dumb Foxglove 207 ‘Tain't worth speaking of, Mis' Harris,’ he says, in his softly way. ‘I was dreadful glad to help ye.’ 1954 M. A. Wilson Lovers vii. 140 He had always been considered a softly man; if anything, too calm. 1991 Bulletin (Sydney) 19 Feb. 114/2 I like not such one-side femmists, I like a softly woman for my uses. †5. Lacking in intelligence or common sense; silly, foolish. Cf. soft adj. 22a. Obsolete (English regional in later use).Cf. quot. 1606 at sense 3. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > weakness of intellect > simplicity, simple-mindedness > [adjective] weak1423 simple-hearted?c1425 good1480 innocent1548 plain-headeda1586 simple1604 green1605 zany1616 soft1621 ungifted1637 softly1652 half-witted1712 simple-minded1749 simpletonic1780 simpletonian1800 sawney1805 simpletonish1819 simply disposed1848 putty-headed1857 cabbage-looking1898 goonish1921 wally1922 1652 G. Fidge Eng. Gusman 10 (margin) The Counstable was a softly man. 1688 G. Miege Great French Dict. ii. sig. Qqq 4/3 A softly Man, a Nidget, or Ninny. 1715 J. Barker Exilius i. 101 If woman did not moderate his Rule, He'd be a Tyrant, or a softly Fool. 1883 T. Lees Easther's Gloss. Dial. Almondbury & Huddersfield 124 Softly, soft-headed; foolish. †6. Lacking in energy or enterprise. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > inaction > disinclination to act or listlessness > [adjective] unlustyc1225 sleepyc1384 phlegmatica1400 listlessc1440 owlist1440 unlisty1440 phlegmyc1450 sweyntc1450 supine1554 resty1565 unactive1591 sleepy-headed1600 log-like1602 inertious1611 stupefied?1611 lethargic1612 sedentary1625 torpent1647 torpid1656 torpulent1657 softly1664 inert1774 vegetative1789 spiritless1798 unenergetic1805 sloomy1820 slow-going1825 inenergetic1826 comatose1828 moony1847 mooning1864 torpid-minded1909 narcoleptic1965 vegged1986 1664 R. Verney Let. Dec. in M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family Restoration to Revol. (1899) 74 Many of them are very slow, & (as we call them) softly persons. 1688 G. Miege Great French Dict. ii. sig. Qqq4/3 A softly Man, a Man that lacks to be stirring. 1770 J. Adams Diary 8 July (1961) I. 358 The softly People where I lodge..are the Opposites of every Thing great, spirited and enterprizing. 1869 H. B. Stowe Oldtown Folks xxvii. 343 All that softly shiftless class, who..are never to be found with anything in hand at the moment that it is wanted. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022). softlyadv. Brit. /ˈsɒf(t)li/, U.S. /ˈsɔf(t)li/, /ˈsɑf(t)li/ Forms: see soft adj. and -ly suffix²; also early Middle English fofteliche (transmission error), Middle English sofly, Middle English soflych, Middle English softili, Middle English softily, 1500s soughtly. Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: soft adj., -ly suffix². Etymology: < soft adj. + -ly suffix². Compare Middle Dutch sachtelike (Dutch zachtelijk ), Middle Low German sachtlīke , sachtelīke , Old High German samftlīhho . Compare earlier soft adv.Earlier currency (in sense 1) is probably implied by Old English unsōftlīce harshly. N.E.D. (1913) gives the pronunciation as (sǫ̀·ftli) /ˈsɒftlɪ/, /ˈsɔːftlɪ/ (see discussion at soft adj.). 1. Gently, carefully, tenderly; in such a manner as to avoid causing pain or injury; without force or violence; with gentle action. ΘΚΠ 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 the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [adverb] > without harshness or gently > and gradually or quietly softc1275 piano piano1601 softly1785 c1225 (?OE) Soul's Addr. to Body (Worcester) (Fragm. A) l. 5 Softliche he heo isom[nede]. c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 1614 So he dede sikerliche, & seþþe he was heled softliche. a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 677 Þan in his saddest solas softili he a-waked. a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) iv. l. 2885 (MED) Into hire bedd myn herte goth, And softly takth hire in his arm. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8043 Quen þe kyng come ner þaa tres,..He drou þam softili vp i-nogh. c1475 (a1400) J. Wyclif Eng. Wks. (1880) 314 (MED) Men seyen þat hely þe heyȝ prest was dampned, for he reproued hise sones but to softliche & slowliche. 1540 R. Jonas tr. E. Roesslin Byrth of Mankynde i. f. xxiv^v Then must ye fayre and softely thrust it backe agayne. 1592 Arden of Feversham iii. vi Then softly drawes she foorth her hand kercher. 1611 Bible (King James) Acts xxvii. 13 And when the South wind blew softly,..they sailed close by Creete. View more context for this quotation 1695 Ld. Preston tr. Boethius Of Consol. Philos. iii. 151 It is then the Sovereign Good which ruleth all things powerfully, and disposeth them softly. 1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 285 Friday..set him down softly upon the Side or Gunnel of the Canoe. 1785 W. Cowper Task i. 762 The moon-beam, sliding softly in between The sleeping leaves. 1816 J. Wilson City of Plague ii. ii. 219 How softly on the dreamer's head They lay their..hands. 1841 G. P. R. James Brigand xxiv Meyrand will treat you tenderly and softly. 1908 Harper's Monthly Mag. May 968/2 I just patted her softly, like you would a baby. 2009 J. Bloss Band Geeked Out xvi. 136 ‘Okay,’ she said, softly stroking my back. 2. a. So as to avoid observation or notice; unobtrusively.In many instances that appear to show this sense, sense 2b is implied or may be the intended meaning, and vice versa. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > stealthy action, stealth > [adverb] softlyc1225 by stalea1240 privilya1250 slylyc1275 thieflyc1290 stealingly13.. by stealth1390 stalworthlya1400 theftfullyc1400 theftlyc1400 theftuouslyc1400 under veilc1425 thievishly?c1450 by theft1488 quietly1488 furtively1490 by surreption1526 hugger-muggera1529 in hugger-mugger1529 underhand1538 insidiously1545 creepingly1548 surreptiously1573 underboard1582 filchingly1583 sneakingly1598 underwater1600 slipperily1603 thief-likea1625 clandestinely1632 surreptitiously1643 thievously1658 clancularly1699 stownlins1786 stealthily1806 underhandedly1806 stolen-wise1813 on (upon, under, or by) the sly1818 round-the-corner1820 underhanded1823 stealthfully1828 slinkingly1830 slippingly1830 on the sneak?1863 sneakishly1867 behind backs1874 stalkingly1891 on the side1893 under the counter1926 underground1935 under the table1938 down and dirty1959 sneakily1966 c1225 (?c1200) St. Margaret (Royal) (1934) 35 (MED) Ha mahen stepen eft in softeliche to luuien. c1300 St. Nicholas (Laud) l. 35 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 241 (MED) To a derne wyndouwe softeliche seint Nicholas gan gon. a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1400 (MED) Priueli un-perceyued, sche praide william þanne to seche softily to hire chaumber as sone as he miȝt. c1450 Speculum Christiani (Harl. 6580) (1933) 226 (MED) A stronge mynde is sopen vp bi vice softly vndurcrepynge. 1598 B. Yong tr. A. Pérez 2nd Pt. Diana in tr. J. de Montemayor Diana 313 He went softly from thence againe, bicause he would not be seene of Parthenius. 1662 Door opening into Christian Relig. ii. 79 Such natural causes, whose property is to work softly, silently and in a secret way, do not produce their effects with a bluster. 1684 T. Creech tr. Ovid Eleg. i. ii, in Misc. Poems 108 Sure I should know if Love had fixt his Dart, Or creeps he softly in with treacherous Art? 1753 Hist. Sophia Shakespear ii. vii. 135 I got up, and look'd over the Hedge as privately and as softly as I could. 1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 232 We next enquire, but softly and by stealth. 1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. ii. vi. 135 Necker, sees good..to withdraw softly, almost privily. 1889 Macmillan's Mag. Aug. 253/1 I lay stirless, softly sneaking my right hand to the pistol. 1903 Eng. Illustr. Mag. 28 135/2 She had seen him, moving softly, attracting no notice from them, pass the groups of ladies. 1921 J. L. B. Williams tr. S. Lauzanne Great Men & Great Days vi. 127 He had worked softly and silently to render American neutrality benevolent toward France. 2010 Sunday Tribune (Ireland) (Nexis) 4 Apr. s8 Softly, quietly and with the minimum of fuss, he's worked his way back. b. Quietly, silently, noiselessly; lightly.Often overlapping with sense 2a; see note at that sense. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > inaudibility > [adverb] > silently stillyc1000 stilla1225 softlyc1330 whistlya1400 silentlya1425 coylyc1475 quietly1488 still1535 huishtly1548 whishtly1548 mutely1587 silentially1627 statuelike1640 tacitly1643 noiselessly1794 soundlessly1837 soundless1844 mouse-like1874 quietlike1909 the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > faintness or weakness > [adverb] > without much noise stilla1225 lowc1275 softc1275 stilledlyc1275 softlyc1330 fairly?a1425 basely1562 piano piano1601 smally1611 pacatelya1652 impercussively1694 pianissimoc1710 deftly1787 suppressedly1825 c1330 Sir Orfeo (Auch.) (1966) l. 300 (MED) Kniȝtes & leuedis com daunceing In queynt atire, gisely, Queynt pas & softly. c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Reeve's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 138 Out of the dore he gooth..Whan þ^t he saugh his tyme, softely. c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 698 He..Sylis softely him selfe þe cite with-outen. 1587 G. Turberville Tragicall Tales f. 77 And vp they thrust the same [door], And softly entred in. a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) iv. i. 194 Pray you tread softly, that the blinde Mole may not heare a foot fall. View more context for this quotation a1680 J. Glanvill Saducismus Triumphatus (1681) Pref. sig. F4^v Therefore not to make much noise to disturb these infallible Huffers.., I softly step by them. 1703 G. Farquhar Twin-rivals iv. 44 What hears me I—but pat, pat, pat very softly at the Door. 1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth III. 207 When the cat walks, it treads very softly, and without the least noise. 1842 I. Williams Baptistery I. ii. 198 Where Silence.., With felt-shod footsteps softly went. 1865 J. W. Carlyle Lett. III. 274 Coming down stairs very softly, for fear of waking me. 1902 R. Hichens Londoners 5 She withdrew from the room as softly as a cat. 1909 W. Porter Song & Story from Les Cheneaux 27 The snow was softly falling outside. 1966 W. Smith Sound of Thunder xx. 106 The servant closed the door softly and studied his master. 2009 Washington Post (Nexis) 19 Jan. he1 Jump forward and land softly on one foot. 3. Gradually; gently; with scarcely perceptible progress, slope, or angle. ΚΠ 1372 in E. Wilson Descriptive Index Lyrics John of Grimestone's Preaching Bk. (1973) 21 (MED) Softeliche senne gennet in wende, But it bitet as a neddere at þe ende. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. xi. vi. 583 Dewe arisiþ vp preueyliche..and falliþ softliche [L. suauiter] on þe ouermest parties of herbis and gras. ?c1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (Paris) (1971) 326 (MED) Softe chaufinge medecynes..maken superfluyte of blode to swage softely [L. suaviter] and insensibly, i. nouȝt yfeled, in resoluynge. c1475 in J. P. Genet Four Eng. Polit. Tracts (1977) 206 (MED) Good fortune, whan she cometh softly and slouly at the begynnynge, it is signe that longe she shall endure. a1500 Apocalypse St. John: B Version (Magd. Cambr.) (1971) 44 (MED) [c1400 Harl. Þei..distressen bi] tyrauntrie, & also bygilen men priuely by sotilte, as þo scorpyoun venyms sofftly þat mon feeles not & so dyes, or he leest wene. 1609 T. Heywood Troia Britanica viii. sig. S5 So bright-hewed Brests so softly sweld,Saue in this maide no Mortall hath beheld. 1663 N. Culpeper & A. Cole tr. D. Sennert Art Chirurg.: 5th Bk. Pract. Physick (new ed.) v. iv. vii. 2622/2 It sufficeth if that while he is awake he have his hand softly inclining upwards. 1785 W. Cowper Task iii. 629 The shapely knoll, That, softly swell'd and gaily dress'd, appears A flow'ry island. 1835 E. Bulwer-Lytton Rienzi II. vi. iii. 321 A high but softly sloping and verdant hill. 1864 J. R. Lowell Fireside Trav. 269 Hills which round softly upward to Monte Cavi. 1968 J. Ironside Fashion Alphabet 195 The hair was cut so that it hung about 8 inches below the shoulders; in front it covered one eye and was softly waved to the end. 2013 B. K. Loren Animal, Mineral, Radical 52 One eyebrow is higher than the other, sharply arched; the other brow curves softly. 4. With a soft or subdued voice or utterance; in a low or gentle tone. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > [adverb] > in an undertone smalleOE softlya1375 alowc1400 lowly1440 in mutec1530 inwardly1530 inward1644 sotto voce1737 a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 927 (MED) Melior..seide softily to hire-self þise selue wordes. c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. iii. l. 38 Þenne com þer a Confessour..And seide ful softely in schrift as hit weore. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 5140 Þer cam to him a messager, And tald him softli in his ere. c1450 tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage Lyfe Manhode (Cambr.) (1869) 41 Serteyn quod j softeliche ynowh me lakketh. 1544 Letanie in Exhort. vnto Prayer sig. B.iii^v Such among the people, as have bokes..may reade them quietely and softly to them selfe. 1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. ii. sig. Cc7 Thereat she sighing softly, had no powre To speake a while. 1614 J. Donne Lett. (1651) 196 One thing I must tell you; but so softly, that I am loath to hear my self. 1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 49 They that are present say softly, or aloud, if they please [etc.]. 1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 168 Some [words] he spoke softly, and I could not well hear others audibly. 1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho III. viii. 447 Emily sighed softly, and bowed her thanks. 1829 W. S. Landor Imaginary Conversat. 2nd Ser. II. xii. 535 I must come behind your chair and whisper softlier. 1894 H. H. Gardener Unofficial Patriot 314 They shook hands over the situation and both fell to crying softly. 1973 D. May Laughter in Djakarta i. 18 The other, Subekto, evidently a Javanese like Sumitro, laughed softly. 2009 P. Bush Out of Snare x. 98 ‘The sooner the better,’ he said softly. 5. a. In ease or comfort; so as to be soft or comfortable; luxuriously. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > luxury or luxurious living > [adverb] softlya1375 softc1405 luxuriously1605 plushily1916 a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 2445 (MED) For-wery þei hem rested & þonked god gretliche..& seþþen softli to slepe samen þei hem leide. c1400 Prose Versions New Test.: Prol. (Selwyn) (1904) 6 Bote he seiþ þat þis wysdom ne is noȝt y-founde in þe lond of men þat [l]yf[e]þ softelyche. c1425 tr. J. Arderne Treat. Fistula (Sloane 6) (1910) 58 Etyng and slepyng more swetely or softely. c1550 Contempl. Synnaris (Arun.) 547 in J. A. W. Bennett Devotional Pieces (1955) 100 Think how ye corps, quhilk now is softlie [a1525 Asloan, c1550 Harl. costly] cled, Sall cleith ye cloik of catife corrupcioun. 1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus Recubare mollius, to lie more softely. 1648 H. Hexham Groot Woorden-boeck Zachtelick slapen, to sleepe Softly or Quietly. a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 58 They endured great hardships; for those parts were not fit to entertain men that had been accustomed to live softly. 1825 W. Scott Talisman vii, in Tales Crusaders III. 173 His couch was trimmed more softly than his master's. 1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems lxviii. 5 Whom nor softly to rest love's tender sanctity suffers. 1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 75 When You make your nest here.., 'Twere well to feather it softly. 1955 Daily Gate City (Keokuk, Iowa) 29 Sept. 4/1 Our high standard of living makes the temptations to live softly greater to Americans. 2012 A. Morel Survive xvii Our heads lie softly on our coats. b. With or in soft surroundings. 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 the world > matter > constitution of matter > softness > [adverb] > with or in soft surroundings softly1567 1567 J. Maplet Greene Forest f. 46 It groweth in waterie places and those softlye dighted and banked about. 1689 W. Salmon tr. Y. van Diemerbroeck Anat. Human Bodies i. 146/1 The Amnios is the inner Membrane, next enfolding the Birth and softly enclosing it. 1820 C. Symmons tr. Virgil Æneis (ed. 2) II. xi. 207 To the mid shaft his darling babe he bound, Cradled in cork, and softly swathed around. 1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. vii. vi. 364 Beautiful all; softly embosomed; as if in sadness, in the dim moist weather. 1914 Marion (Ohio) Daily Star 2 May i. 14/1 (advt.) A wonderful little corset that gives you that delightful sense of being softly enveloped and gently supported. 2008 J. Ibbotson tr. L. Rispoli Basic Experience & Devel. of Self v. 76 The mood is of serene tranquility and feeling softly cocooned. 6. a. In a subdued manner; faintly; (also) lacking sharp definition; subtly. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [adverb] > in a subdued manner softlya1398 subduedly1826 a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. ii. viii. 72 Þe fure of God brenneþ softliche and sweteliche [L. suauiter ardet], and brenneþ nouȝt wastinge. 1588 C. Lucar Appendix xcvii. 85 in tr. N. Tartaglia 3 Bks. Shooting These things mingled togeather will burne so sloly or softly as you desire that they shoulde doe. 1650 J. Tatham Ostella 28 Let our flames softly burn, and not expire. 1794 T. Dwight Greenfield Hill vi. 136 Rains gently shower; skies softly shine. a1822 P. B. Shelley Prince Athanase in Posthumous Poems (1824) 107 A cloud..Through which his soul..Shone, softly burning. 1882 W. Sharp D. G. Rossetti iii. 184 Behind..is a figure, also softly aureoled. 1900 J. Barlow From Land of Shamrock 210 The hills beyond it were far enough off to be coloured softly. 1918 Travel Oct. 22/1 The streets were softly glowing with incandescent lights. 2008 Time Out N.Y. 19 June 22/1 The wooden tables and exposed-brick walls are softly lit by chandeliers. b. Modifying an adjective: to a pleasing or subtle extent; not harshly or strikingly. ΚΠ 1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho II. ii. 48 A single note..That, softly sweet, at distance dies. 1898 H. Newbolt Admirals All 31 The Norman arch, the chancel softly dark. 1906 Independent Rev. Aug. 230 The spreading, sparkling river, and the wood..were reflected in the stream, and stretched away to the verge of the softly blue heavens. 1963 Fergus Falls (Minnesota) Daily Jrnl. 5 Mar. 8/4 (advt.) Top off spring's softly feminine styles with hats that match their mood. 2011 National Post (Canada) (Nexis) 16 July to4 But first, a glass of the softly seductive Pinot Gris. †7. With quiet resignation; meekly, humbly. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > calmness > patience > [adverb] > with patient resignation softlyc1400 philosophically1873 impunitively1958 c1400 (?c1380) Patience l. 529 (MED) For-þy when pouerte me enprecez and paynez in-noȝe, Ful softly with suffraunce saȝttel me bihouez. a1425 Rule St. Benet (Lansd.) (1902) 45 Sho sal recaiue þe cumandement softelie and wid mekenes. 1534 G. Joye tr. Jeremy Prophete iii. f. cvi It is good, paciently to suffer, and softely to waite for that sauing helth from the Lorde. 8. a. With a slow, easy, or leisurely pace or motion. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > rate of motion > slowness > [adverb] > and gently softlyc1400 soberly1477 c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. xvi. l. 29 (MED) We reuerencede reson and romed forth softeliche. a1475 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Harl. 875) (1867) A. ii. l. 135 On a sysoures backe þat softly trotted. 1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour i. xxvii. sig. Ni As farre or nighe the marke is his arowe, whan he goeth softly, as whan he runneth. 1560 Bible (Geneva) Isa. viii. 6 This people hathe refused the waters of Shiloah that runne softely. 1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 268 Surcharged..with the spoile, he was glad to march softlier. 1654 E. Gayton Pleasant Notes Don Quixot iv. xxiv. 282 Jaques spurr'd and spurr'd, and switch'd, Ride softlier Jaques, shee beseech'd. 1721 J. Swift Let. 30 Apr. in Jrnl. to Stella (2013) 560 He could have easily overtaken me; for I walked softly on purpose. 1759 R. Brown Compl. Farmer 13 Ride him half an hour softly. a1822 P. B. Shelley tr. J. W. von Goethe Scenes from Faust in Posthumous Poems (1824) 397 You give me full permission To lead him softly on my path. 1897 B. Pain in Eng. Illustr. Mag. Oct. 35/2 By the path that is before us one must ride softly if one would ride safely. 2000 R. Bittner Mystic Visions (2007) xiii. 106 The North Platte River flowed softly nearby, shallow at this time of year. †b. More generally: in a leisurely, unrushed manner; without haste. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > manner of action > slowness of action or operation > [adverb] > unhurriedly easily1384 softlyc1450 leisurely1486 leisurablya1540 toomlyc1540 handsomely1550 deliberately1595 pausablya1633 advisedly1655 unhurriedly1880 c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1904) I. 186 He began to syng þis antem..and sang it softlie vnto þe end. 1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iii. f. 128^v Looke besides that they be..great feeders, but softly, and not ouerhastyly. 1622 J. Heigham & T. Everard tr. I. Balsamo Instr. to pray & meditate Well (new ed.) xii. sig. H6^v He must not read in poste-haste, but softly and deuoutly. ?1768–9 Encycl. Brit. (1771) I. 23/2 Adagio, in music, an Italian adverb, signifying softly, leisurely; and is used to denote the slowest of all times, except the grave. †9. In moderation; in small quantity. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adverb] lightlyeOE softlya1450 sparingly1555 a1450 Rule St. Benet (Vesp.) (1902) l. 1603 (MED) Softly sal þai tast & fair Drynk þat may þer hedes inpair, Als myghty wyne or nobil aile. a1450 Rule St. Benet (Vesp.) (1902) l. 1610 Þarfor es wit..Wine or aile softly to tast. a1500 (a1450) tr. Secreta Secret. (Ashm. 396) (1977) 99 (MED) Whan þe eyen vnder-laughen softly and moistly..wele taught it sheweth hym þat doth so. 10. As an imperative. Used either to enjoin silence or deprecate haste; = soft adv. 7. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > inaudibility > be silent [interjection] silence?c1225 peacec1390 whista1425 softlya1500 softc1500 husht1532 ist1540 st1552 soft and peace1576 pocas palabras1592 isse1598 hist1599 whish1635 whisht1684 quiet1814 fusht1816 pax1843 sh1847 pst1863 ciunas1987 the world > action or operation > manner of action > slowness of action or operation > [interjection] > deprecating haste softlya1500 softc1500 soft swift1597 pole pole1934 a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xxiv. 316 Fare and softly, sir, and say not to far. 1583 G. Babington Briefe Conf. Frailtie & Faith 53 Softlie Frailtie, softlie, your tongue tumbleth too fast. a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) i. ii. 238 Softly my Masters. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iv. iii. 72 Softly, deere sir: good sir, softly . View more context for this quotation 1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 115 Softly a while, Let us not break in upon him. View more context for this quotation 1742 H. Fielding Joseph Andrews I. ii. vii. 210 He cry'd, Softly, softly Boys, to his Hourses. 1766 G. Colman & D. Garrick Clandestine Marriage v. 76 Well, but softly, Betsey!—you are all in emotion. 1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin I. xvii. 288 ‘Softly, softly; don't thee snap and snarl, friend,’ said Phineas. 1894 Atlantic Monthly Nov. 585/1 Softly, now. It's only me. 1907 Secret Service 25 Jan. 19/2 ‘Softly, softly,’ said Harry. ‘You are getting nervous, Alice, and someone may overhear us’. 1980 ‘M. Innes’ Going it Alone (2001) xx. 146 ‘Softly, softly!’ Tim was murmuring... ‘Just go easy there.’ Phrases P1. Chiefly British, Irish English, Australian, and New Zealand. a. Proverbial phrase. softly, softly, catchee monkey and variants: advocating caution or guile as the best way to achieve an end.The proverb apparently originates in West Africa; quot. 1832 records its use in Demerara (now part of Guyana). [Compare e.g. Cameroon Pidgin English sofli, sofli, kas monki and Mende klo, klo, mia kua hu, lit. ‘slowly, slowly is monkey meat’.] ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > guile is the best means [phrase] softly1832 the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > caution > with caution [phrase] > admonition to proceed cautiously a soft fire makes sweet malt1532 softly1832 1832 A. Henderson Sc. Prov. Pref. p. lvii Safly, safly, catch monkey, ye hiri. They must go softly that catch a monkey, ye hear! 1840 A. Polson Law & Lawyers I. i. 22 ‘Prudens qui patiens’, was the motto of our great Coke:..which the negro pithily paraphrases—‘Softly, softly, catch monkey’. 1865 R. F. Burton Wit & Wisdom from W. Afr. Pref. p. xiii I should rather explain this by our kindred expression, ‘introduce the sharp edge of the wedge first’; or, as the West Africans say, ‘Softly! Softly caught the monkey.’ 1896 R. S. S. Baden-Powell Downfall Prempeh Author's Apol. 13 A smile and a stick will carry you through any difficulty in the world, more especially if you act upon the old West Coast motto, ‘Softly, softly, catchee monkey’. 1942 N. Balchin Darkness falls from Air x. 176 Softly catch monkey... That's the answer. 1962 P. Brickhill Deadline xiii. 152 I didn't pursue it any further then. Softly, softly, catchee monkey—and I hated that phrase. 2002 R. Gervais & S. Merchant Office: Scripts 1st Ser. Episode 2. 83 I am trained in covert operations. You know the phrase ‘Softly softly catchy monkey?’ b. softly, softly. (a) Elliptically for softly, softly, catchee monkey at Phrases 1a. ΚΠ 1850 T. E. Poole Life, Scenery & Customs Sierra Leone & Gambia I. iv. 31 ‘Softly, softly,’ is a pertinent axiom of the black man, when he would imply his opinion that some one was undertaking and carrying on any work too unadvisedly and inconsiderately. 1967 Autocar 28 Dec. 7/1 Softly, softly is our policy too, but not at such expense in time. 1970 Sunday Times 5 July 11 (heading) Ulster: end of ‘softly, softly’. 2001 R. Hill Dialogues of Dead (2002) xlv. 503 Let's talk to Mr Dee again, but softly, softly. No point in putting the boot in till we know what we're kicking. (b) attributive, esp. in softly, softly approach, with the sense ‘cautious, guileful’. ΚΠ 1944 F. E. Kenchington Commoners' New Forest xvii. 142 It is that ‘primarily’ with which I quarrel, and the ‘softly, softly’ manner in which the ancient life of the soil is edged along courteously into third place. 1961 Irish Times 17 Oct. 6/2 Their colleagues in the Unionist Group, who prefer the ‘softly, softly’ approach, have almost disowned them. 1974 New Scientist 28 Feb. 563/2 Dahrendorf has been following a ‘softly, softly’ policy. 1979 Now! 14 Sept. 53/2 Sadat and Begin..are both adopting a ‘softly-softly’ approach to the Palestinian problem. 1986 New Scientist 31 July 15/1 The ‘softly, softly’ tone of their advice. 2013 Derby Evening Tel. (Nexis) 24 Apr. 15 The softly, softly approach isn't working and the prison sentence is not a strong enough deterrent. P2. fair and softly: see fair and softly at fair adv. 5a. (Cf. soft adv. Phrases 1a.) Compounds C1. a. Forming adjectives with present participles, as softly-breathing, softly-burning, softly-gliding, etc. ΚΠ 1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne xiii. xl. 242 Him thought he heard the softly whistling winde. [No corresponding word in the Italian original.] 1681 J. Dryden Spanish Fryar v. i. 66 I..listned to each softly treading step. 1703 N. Rowe Fair Penitent ii. i The sprightly String and softly-breathing Flute. 1726 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey IV. xv. 390 The softly-stealing pace of time. 1818 Gentleman's Mag. 88 62/1 Thames does, by Oxford, softly-pacing, run. 1864 W. C. Bryant Thirty Poems 38 The softly gliding, bashful stream. 1907 J. Joyce Chamber Music xv Eastward the gradual dawn prevails Where softly-burning fires appear. 1924 E. Sitwell Sleeping Beauty xvii. 68 To catch the softly-smiling wind. 1949 U. Sinclair O Shepherd Speak! (2001) I. ii. vi. 101 The two men..went for a walk in the softly falling snow. 2013 National (Abu Dhabi) (Nexis) 3 Nov. The only other illumination is from softly glowing lamps. b. Forming adjectives with past participles, as softly-coloured, softly lit, softly-worded, etc. ΚΠ a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) i. iv. 22 A softly-sprighted man, is he not? 1830 Ld. Tennyson Sleeping Beauty ii, in Poems 144 Glows forth each softly-shadowed arm. 1846 Fraser's Mag June 603/1 A softly worded apology for the ‘rights of man’. 1859 C. Dickens Tale of Two Cities ii. ix. 83 His softly-slippered feet making no noise. 1876 ‘Ouida’ In Winter City ix. 249 Making the trifle the medium of a softly-hinted tenderness. 1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. xiii. [Nausicaa] 334 This..lent to her softlyfeatured face at whiles a look..that imparted a strange yearning tendency to the beautiful eyes. 1963 Oxf. Bk. Garden Flowers 94/1 Perpetual flowering shrubs, varying in height from 4–6ft., mostly with double softly-coloured flowers. 2007 Org. Gardening May 65/1 If your yard permits, locate your evening garden at the end of a softly lit path. C2. softly-spoken adj. having, or speaking with, a gentle and quiet voice; courteous in speech; cf. soft-spoken adj. 1. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > [adjective] > in speech fair-spokec1450 fair-spokena1464 well bespoken?1473 soft-spoken1616 softly-spoken1851 the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > quality of voice > [adjective] > pleasant > soft or gentle voice > having softc1230 soft-spoken1616 soft-tongued1660 softly-spoken1851 1851 Reynold's Weekly Newspaper 9 Feb. 2/3 ‘If you please, ma'am,’ said the softly-spoken, softly-shod domestic, ‘there are some people without who say they must speak to you.’ 1957 Times of India 17 Mar. 7/1 Luisa fell head over heels in love with a softly-spoken young Frenchman. 2014 Daily Tel. 17 Mar. 16 The 56-year-old Belgian replaces another softly-spoken and urbane manager. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < adj.1572adv.c1225
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