sprightlyadv.adj.n.
/ˈsprʌɪtli/, U.S. /ˈspraɪtli/ A. adv.
With spirit; in a vigorous, animated, or energetic manner. Cf. B. I.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adverb] > in a lively manner
quicklyOE
heartilya1450
vively1471
sprightlya1584
sportively1597
sprightfully1597
spiritfully?1609
lifelike1637
sprightlily1739
vivaciously1815
rattlingly1824
friskily1862
spirity1865
sparklingly1879
the mind > emotion > excitement > excitability of temperament > spiritedness or liveliness > [adverb]
quicklyOE
heartilya1450
sprightlya1584
sprightfully1597
spiritfully?1609
lifelike1637
sprightlily1739
spiritedly1750
livelily1751
spirituously1751
good-temperedly1776
spiritly1796
vivaciously1815
animately1822
rattlingly1824
friskily1862
spirity1865
sparklingly1879
a1584 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (Ruthven) (1959) ix. iii. l. 116 (note) [Thar spretis rasyt, and] richt spretely [he Can thame repreve].
1596 T. Nashe Haue with you to Saffron-Walden sig. F4 I haue handled it so neatly and so sprightly and withall ouzled, gidumbled, muddled, and drizled it so finely, that I forbid euer a Hauns Boll, Hauns Holbine, or Hauns Mullier..to amend it.
1602 F. Beaumont tr. Ovid Salmacis & Hermaphroditus sig. E4 Hee's mine, she cry'd, and so leapt spritely in.
1654 R. Whitlock Ζωοτομία 479 The Chevalry of Verse charges them more sprightly and Irresistibly.
a1763 W. Shenstone Wks. (1764) I. 121 Never yet did courtly maiden Move so sprightly, look so fair.
a1895 Ld. C. E. Paget Autobiogr. (1896) 80 A vessel sprightly approached with an admiral's flag at the fore.
1925 Daily News-Record (Harrisonburg, Va.) 23 May 1/3 Another old man in a grey general's uniform walked spritely between the columns.
2010 PNG Post-Courier (Austral.) (Nexis) 22 Sept. 12 As he stepped spritely off the dais to review the Guard of Honour..he had to grab his peaked white British navy cap.
B. adj.† II. Senses relating to sprite n. 3a.
I. Senses relating to spirit, vigour, or liveliness. Cf. spirit n. 6, spirit n. 9, spirited adj., sprightful adj.
1. Of an action, undertaking, etc.: carried out animatedly or vigorously; energetic; spirited.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > [adjective] > cheerful and lively > specifically of qualities or actions
sprightly1592
1592 A. Munday tr. L. T. A. Masque of League sig. B3 These thy very latest behauiours, this heate, furie, frantique feuer and plague, brings thee into a sprightly resolution of thy strength [Fr. vne resolution d'esprits & de forces], and so will foorthwith conduct thee to thy death.
1602 T. Scott Four Paradoxes sig. C7 His flowing minde, (Whose spritely motion neuer taketh rest).
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iv. viii. 12 I will reward thee Once for thy sprightly comfort. View more context for this quotation
a1704 T. Brown Charms of Bottle in Wks. (1709) IV. i. 44 Here the sprightly Repartees fly about with the Glass.
1831 J. Sinclair Corr. II. 89 The conversation was sprightly, and well calculated for the lively company.
1888 Jrnl. Pedagogy Feb. 112/1 A strong and sprightly argument.
1921 B. Tarkington Alice Adams xxii. 369 Alice kept her sprightly chatter going when they sat down.
1984 Ethics Jan. 310 A sprightly defense of the standard economist's line.
2013 Dorking Advertiser (Nexis) 5 Dec. 26 A sprightly game of frisbee can burn 103 calories.
2.
a. Of a person: full of spirit, energy, or vitality; mettlesome; active, dynamic; vivacious. Now esp. (of an older person): physically vigorous; spry.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adjective] > lively, vivacious, or animated
jollyc1325
lightsomea1382
kedgec1440
fledge?1461
crank1499
frisky?a1500
sprightya1522
frisk1528
sprightful1550
quick-spirited1552
cranking1567
lively1567
quick-sprighted1579
aleger1590
bright-eyed1590
firking1594
sprightly1594
spirituous1601
great-stomached1607
spirity1615
spiritous1628
lifesomec1635
vivacious1645
rattlingc1650
quick-set1653
airy1654
animated1660
sparklinga1704
bob1721
vivace1721
animate1801
high-lifed1859
sassy1859
chippy1865
sparky1883
high-keyed1893
high life1903
peppy1914
pepful1915
jazzy1917
upbeat1947
zappy1969
sparkly1979
the mind > emotion > excitement > excitability of temperament > spiritedness or liveliness > [adjective]
jollyc1325
kedgec1440
fledge?1461
frisky?a1500
sprightya1522
frisk1528
sprightful1550
quick-spirited1552
lively1567
quick-sprighted1579
alive-like1582
aleger1590
firking1594
sprightly1594
sportive1595
mettled1599
alives-like1601
spirited1601
spirituous1601
mettle1606
great-stomached1607
free-spirited1613
spirity1615
spiritous1628
vivacious1645
rattlingc1650
sportful1650
airy1654
animated1660
racy1671
mettlesome1673
sparklinga1704
raffing?1719
bob1721
vivace1721
alive1748
lifey1793
spunky1831
gilpie1835
bubbling1860
chippy1865
bubblesome1879
colourful1882
sparky1883
bubbly1912
jazzy1917
spritzy1973
sparkly1979
kicking1983
the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > [adjective] > cheerful and lively
taitc1300
cant1330
crouse?a1400
pert?a1513
sprightya1522
aleger1590
sprightly1594
sunshine1594
brighta1616
lifesomec1635
flippant1711
cantya1724
saucy1741
chirk1789
chipper1806
chirrupy1808
up1815
chirpy1837
breezy1870
cyclonish1884
1594 T. Nashe Terrors of Night sig. Giij The great masters of that Art do terme the sprightly old man.
1605 1st Pt. Jeronimo D3v Wheres our lord generall..With whome I ranck spritely Horatio.
1670 C. Cotton tr. G. Girard Hist. Life Duke of Espernon ii. v. 208 Most sprightly and gay Nobility, and Gentry of the Court.
1752 H. Fielding Amelia II. v. v. 121 I fancy she hath been a very spritely Woman: For..she discovers by starts a great Vivacity in her Countenance.
1784 E. Allen Reason viii. §3. 328 She instructs those who are young and spritely among her pupils, to practise the most wild, freakish, wanton and romantic gestures.
1807 G. Crabbe Birth Flattery in Poems 192 Thee, sprightly Siren from this Train I choose.
1874 L. Stephen Hours in Libr. 1st Ser. 107 The..old tradesman could be..as sprightly and audacious as the most profligate man about town.
1905 H. B. M. Watson Twisted Eglantine 135 Here's a pretty, handsome, sprightly girl, and she will be simulating Miss Hoyden if we don't rescue her.
1949 Life 30 May 27 (heading) Monaco buries her sprightly old prince.
2015 Sunday Times (Nexis) 31 May (Sport section) 16 Badminton's governing body..set about dispersing the air of spritely old dears knocking shuttlecocks around.
b. Of an animal (formerly esp. a horse): lively, energetic; high-spirited; playful.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by nature > [adjective] > lively
proudc1300
heartya1375
wanton1532
sprightly1600
earnest1609
spirited1624
1600 T. Dekker Old Fortunatus sig. G3v Andel. My horse, Shaddow, how fare my horse? Shad. Upon the best Oates my vnderiteward can buy. Andel. I meane, are they lusty, sprightly, gallant, wanton, fiery? Shad. They are as all horses are..they are euer munching.
1680 Spirit of Popery 56 Not daring to Attack the Coachman, because his Whip did fright his spritely Horse.
1735 W. Somervile Chace i. 86 To train the sprightly Steed, more fleet than those Begot by Winds.
1742 E. Young Complaint: Night the First (new ed.) 29 The sprightly [1743 spritely] Lark's shrill Mattin wakes the Morn.
1830 J. Milne Widow & Son (1851) I. 141 The crowing of the sprightly cock.
1883 A. Thomas Mod. Housewife 24 The mare was as sprightly as a cat.
1914 M. S. Watts Rise of Jenny Cushing ii. viii. 299 A sprightly kitten the studio had lately acquired.
1967 Times 28 Mar. 8/2 A spruce Victorian dog cart, painted bright yellow and pulled by a sprightly mare called Polly.
2017 Irish Times (Nexis) 5 July 11 Molly, the sprightly young terrier mongrel living on the other side of the slatted fence.
c. Of a plant: vigorous; fast-growing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by good growth > [adjective] > quick-growing
fast-growing1597
sprightly1693
mile-a-minute1975
1693 J. Evelyn tr. J. de La Quintinie Reflect. Agric. ii. 41 in Compl. Gard'ner The principal Roots of..Raspish-Bushes, and some other very sprightly Shrubs.
1776 B. Victor Orig. Lett., Dramatic Pieces & Poems III. 57 When from the tree young, sprightly branches shoot, If blasted—blame the wind—and not the root.
1882 2nd Rep. State Mineralogist Calif. (Appendix) 104 Its sober contrast with other sharper and more sprightly trees, during the Summer and Autumn months, produces a fine effect.
1922 C. L. Pack School Bk. of Forestry i. 14 Sprightly trees that shoot skyward at a swift pace are the ones that develop into the monarchs of the forest.
2004 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 12 June (Gardening) 4 If the delicious green haze of sprightly seedlings in the polytunnels is anything to go by, the results are promising.
3. With reference to personal qualities, attributes, behaviour, etc.
a. Characterized by or displaying spirit, vigour, energy, or animation; (now esp.) lively, vivacious.
ΚΠ
1598 J. Marston Certaine Satyres iii, in Metamorph. Pigmalions Image 65 I see Th'art falne to wits extreamest pouerty, Sure in Consumption of the spritely part.
1630 M. Drayton Muses Elizium 39 And in this iocond sprightly mood Thus alter we our measures.
1654 R. Whitlock Ζωοτομία 342 No doubt the Soule needs..a well organiz'd Body, to exercise it[s] Functions with spritely Vigor.
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 21 The French, whose Temper is allow'd to be more volatile..and more sprightly.
1788 F. Burney Diary 1 Aug. (1842) IV. 216 Miss Planta looked all amazement; but he was himself all ease and sprightly unconsciousness.
1834 Q. Rev. Jan. 189 The frailty of the mere woman is forgotton in the indefatigable constancy, the spritely courage..of this..extraordinary heroine.
1878 R. Browning Two Poets of Croisic in La Saisiaz & Two Poets of Croisic 99 So did her sprightly nature nowise lack Lustre when draped.
1885 Sat. Rev. 14 Feb. 216/1 These are Mr. Barlow's more spritely moods, which are more tolerable than his sublime moments.
1904 Daily News 31 May in R. Russell Strength & Diet 200 Yet they seem happy, with a sprightly happiness that one never meets with amongst our own very poor.
1959 A. Guérard France iii. xiv. 179 She was of a free and sprightly disposition.
2015 Mirror (Nexis) 22 Feb. She was fine and in a sprightly mood, telling nurses she had survived World War Two..and that being hit by a car wasn't going to finish her off.
b. Of the mind or intellect: active, lively; sharp, perspicacious.
ΚΠ
1598 J. Marston Metamorph. Pigmalions Image sig. A5 O beauteous Angell, daine thou to infuse A sprightly wit, into my dulled Muse.
1673 R. Leigh Transproser Rehears'd 12 One of those glorious enterprises..which the bishop's active and sprightly mind was busied in.
1724 S. Croxall tr. Æsop Fables xxxv. 68 They who have a spritely Wit, and an elegant Taste for Conversation.
1864 E. H. Gillett Hist. Presbyterian Church I. xxi. 465 Of sound rather than sprightly intellect, sternly conscientious even if wrong-headed.
1958 Financial Times 11 July 13/1 Women university graduates..have to undergo the soul-destroying process of unnaturally forcing the hitherto sprightly brain to accommodate a thousand ugly little ‘heirograms’.
2009 Sydney Morning Herald (Nexis) 7 Nov. 5 Once-spritely minds become exhausted by the onslaught and simply stop reading, listening or contributing.
c. Of demeanour, appearance, etc.: alert, animated; brisk, smart.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adjective] > brisk or active
sprindeOE
whata1000
braga1350
prestc1390
yarea1400
stirringc1400
startingc1440
actious1441
actuala1470
activea1522
queemc1540
skeetc1540
lively1567
alive-like1582
pragmatical1590
spruce1590
agilious1599
brisk1599
sprightly?c1599
brisky1600
alives-like1601
alacrious1602
smart1602
eyebright1603
whisking1611
deedy1615
vibrant1616
sprunt1631
perking1653
alert1654
exilient1654
alacrative1657
eveillé1676
budge1691
jaunty1705
spry1746
sprack1747
alive1748
high-geared1795
rash1805
spicy1828
live1830
deedful1834
yary1855
sprucy1858
alacritous1859
sprackish1882
brash1884
up-and-coming1889
up and doing1901
loose1907
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed1936
buzzy1978
?c1599 ‘Ignoto’ in J. Davies & C. Marlowe Epigr. & Elegies sig. D4 Faith (wench) I cannot court thy sprightly eyes, With the bace viall plac'd betweene my thyghs.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iv. xv. 52 Wee'l hand in hand, And with our sprightly Port make the Ghostes gaze. View more context for this quotation
1696 T. Comber Disc. Offices 187 Our Looks were sprightly and cheerful.
1748 J. Hervey Medit. among Tombs in Medit. & Contempl. (ed. 4) I. 33 How vain, the Lustre of thy sprightly Eye!
1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 179. ⁋4 The sprightly trip, the stately walk, the formal strut.
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward I. ii. 23 The combination of fearless frankness and good humour, with sprightly looks.
1873 W. H. Dixon Hist. Two Queens III. xvi. v. 212 Her sprightly air..made her an attraction.
1908 Emu 7 146 They [sc. flame breasted robins]..charm one in the solitude of the far-reaching, Scotch-looking moorland with their sprightly deportment and actions.
1958 J. Morris S. Afr. Winter vii. 66 They were clean-shaven young men of sprightly bearing, wearing black frock-coats and wing collars.
2016 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 28 Sept. 19 She got through the debate, she didn't cough and she kept up her sprightly demeanour.
4. Of a thing.
a. Having qualities or properties suggestive of energy, vigour, animation, etc.; lively.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > excitement > pleasurable excitement > [adjective] > lively or animated (of things)
rattlinga1398
sprightful1595
sprightly1598
vivacious1670
the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > [adjective] > cheering or suggestive of cheerfulness
comfortative1377
comfortive1377
cheerfula1440
comfortablec1460
cheering1549
sunny1565
sunshine1594
heartsome1596
sprightly1598
livening1605
brightening1642
exhilarating1644
encheering1652
cheery1655
spiriting1671
sunshiny1686
riant1720
sonsy1721
genial1747
cheerfulizing1840
cheer-up1846
enlivening1862
exhilarative1864
exhilarant1866
exhilaratory1871
heartening1895
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adjective] > lively, vivacious, or animated > specifically of things
rattlinga1398
quickly1435
feverous1591
sprightful1595
sprightly1598
vegetea1643
bright-eyed1652
vivacious1670
sparkyc1865
1598 J. Marston Scourge of Villanie ii. vi. sig. E7 His sprightly hote high-soring poesie Is like that dreamed of Imagerie, Whose head was gold, brest siluer, brassie thigh, Lead leggs, clay feete.
1656 A. Cowley Davideis ii. 62 in Poems A silk Mantle.., Where the most sprightly azure pleas'd the eyes.
1665 R. Boyle Occas. Refl. i. ii. sig. M2v That pleasing and sprightly scent, that makes the Rose so welcome to us.
a1774 R. Fergusson Poems Var. Subj. (1779) 116 Favonius wings the sprightly gale.
1823 C. Lamb Mrs. Battle's Opinions on Whist in Elia 83 She could not conceive a game wanting the spritely infusion of chance.
1892 Antiquary June 278/2 This is a spritely book on a subject that is always fascinating to the larger half of the human race.
1927 Daily Tel. 21 June 14/7 The programme was the usual compound of items serious and spritely—mostly spritely of course—and from time to time dancers and comedy cyclists flashed across the stage.
1962 V. S. Pritchett London Perceived 201 One sprightly morning in the early summer of 1916 ten or twenty small German bombers appeared over London, looking like gnats.
2014 Cape Times (Nexis) 6 Feb. 3 In power terms there's plenty on offer, with the spritely little three-door happy to cruise at way above the national speed limit.
b. Of a drink (esp. wine): invigorating, vibrant; (also occasionally) effervescent, sparkling. Later also (of food or flavour): piquant, tangy; fresh-tasting. Cf. lively adj. 8.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > types or qualities of intoxicating liquor > [adjective] > brisk or sharp
smart1372
brisk1600
sprightly?1600
pert1705
?1600 H. Plat Delightes for Ladies sig. G You shall finde the same most excellent and sprightly drinke.
a1665 K. Digby Closet Opened (1669) 9 It [sc. the mead] will be very spritely and quick and pleasant.
1673 J. Ray Observ. Journey Low-countries 60 These Waters seemed to me more brisk and sprightly, and better sated with Mineral Juices than any I have tasted in England.
1748 J. Thomson Castle of Indolence i. xxxiv Whatever sprightly juice or tasteful food On the green bosom of this earth are found.
1789 J. Elliot Acct. Nature & Medicinal Virtues Princ. Mineral Waters Great Brit. & Ireland (ed. 2) 253 This is one of the most sprightly waters in the world... It has a smart, subacid, sprightly taste, not unlike the briskest Champaign wine.
1817 W. Coxe View Cultiv. Fruit Trees xxiii. 166 An admired English table apple..the flesh rich and yellow with a sprightly taste.
1872 Ann. Rep. Iowa State Agric. Soc. 1871 428 Grapes should not be used for making wine until fully ripe, unless you wish to make spritely wine, then you must use sugar freely.
1938 Life 6 June 10/2 (caption) A sprightly green salad and miniature tartlets of fresh strawberries with a snowy powdering of sugar.
1981 N.Y. Times 10 May xi. 23/1 The clams Casino..covered with a spritely seasoned well-blended onion-garlic topping.
2011 Korea Herald (Nexis) 6 May Fragrant, dense yet sprightly, the drink is popular amongst clients.
c. Of a sound, tune, rhythm, etc.: bright, clear, cheerful; lively, energetic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > [adjective] > cheering or suggestive of cheerfulness > of sounds
sprightly?1611
upful1976
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads xviii. 263 Youths, and maides,..To whom the merrie Pipe, and Harpe, the spritely sounds aduanc't.
1654 J. Playford Breefe Introd. Skill Musick i. 19 Such effectuall melody..in such excellent Fugg's and Sprightly Ayres.
1672 J. Dryden Conquest Granada i. iii. i. 25 Methinks it is a noble, sprightly Sound. The Trumpets clangor, and the clash of Arms!
1725 E. Fenton in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey I. i. 531 Mean time the Lyre rejoins the sprightly lay.
1752 E. Young Brothers ii. i These sprightly tuneful airs but skim along The surface of my soul, not enter there.
1817 J. F. Stephens Shaw's Gen. Zool. X. i. 90 Their song is a sprightly warble, and is sometimes continued for a length of time.
1889 Sat. Rev. 31 Aug. 253/2 A spritely melody in C, varied by an episode in the minor.
1905 New Music Rev. May 257/1 Its joyous and sprightly music created much pleasure and enthusiasm.
1977 Monitor (McAllen, Texas) 9 Jan. 5 c/1 Instantly the room is filled with the spritely, bubbling sound of ragtime.
2008 Spin Aug. 111/3 Driven by compact compositions and sprightly tempos, the ninth proper album..is their most blatantly bouncy.
d. Of a musical instrument: that produces a bright, clear sound; that plays or is suited to playing lively, energetic rhythms or music.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > [adjective] > cheering or suggestive of cheerfulness > of musical instruments
sprightly1613
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > sound of instruments > [adjective] > lively
sprightly1613
1613 T. Campion Relation Royall Entertainm. sig. B3v Led with the Musicke of a Spritely drome.
1658 J. Playford Breif Introd. Skill Musick (new ed.) 78 The Treble-Violin is a cheerful and sprightly Instrument.
1720 A. Hill Gideon i. 5 The tortur'd Drums and spritely Trumpets, join'd, Proudly proclaim the waking Conquror's Joys.
1757 W. Wilkie Epigoniad i. 9 While to the sprightly harp, the voice explains The loves of all the gods.
1859 New Monthly Mag. Sept. 51 Here, might be seen groups of negroes dancing to the sound of the sprightly violin, the tambourine, or their favourite banja.
1895 Punch 30 Mar. 147/2 The shrill and sprightly flute.
1912 J. D. Bacon Inheritance xiii. 180 The great, lighted mansion, the red velvet across the pavement, the gaping London throngs, the fragrant, crowded hall, the sprightly violins, the lines of powdered footmen.
1988 Guardian 3 Aug. 38/8 The Sidmouth Folk Festival continues with..spritely pipe and fiddle from Kathryn Tickell.
2017 Australian (Nexis) 28 Jan. (Review) 8 Pure pop with catchy vocal hooks and sprightly drums.
e. Of a place: lively and cheerful; full of activity; bustling.
ΚΠ
1735 F. Manning Of Levity & Steadiness 5 Quit for dull Retreat the sprightly Town.
1764 O. Goldsmith Traveller 13 Gay sprightly land of mirth and social ease.
1832 G. Downes Lett. from Continental Countries I. 290 It is, altogether, a sprightly, lively place, garnished with pleasing environs.
1875 F. W. Newman in I. G. Sieveking Mem. (1909) 315 The gardens are becoming sprightly.
1914 T. McCulla Hist. Cherokee County, Iowa I. xli. 527 The sprightly village of Larrabee is the chief market place for the farmers of the township.
1950 A. R. Kelly Eleanor of Aquitaine & Four Kings xxviii. 300 Paris too was quick with expectancy, but of a more sprightly quality.
2015 Daily Tel. (Austral.) (Nexis) 20 Sept. 20 Brighton..still has a sprightly, old-fashioned air thanks to its boardwalks, pier and funfairs.
5. Ghostly, spectral. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > supernatural being > ghost or phantom > [adjective]
fantastic1483
fantasticalc1485
spectrical1609
sprightlya1616
spectrene1652
spectrous1652
shadowy1681
visionary1697
ghostly1753
faerie1767
spectry1796
spectral1816
spectrish1822
apparitional1824
phantasiastic1830
spooky1854
astral1877
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) v. vi. 429 As I slept, me thought Great Iupiter vpon his Eagle back'd Appear'd to me, with other sprightly shewes Of mine owne Kindred.
C. n.
1. With the and plural agreement. Sprightly, vigorous, or energetic people considered as a class.In quot. 1655: (in singular) a sprightly person.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [noun] > vigour or liveliness > vigorous or lively person > people
sprightly1655
the mind > emotion > excitement > excitability of temperament > spiritedness or liveliness > [noun] > person > people
sprightly1655
1655 F. G. tr. ‘G. de Scudéry’ Artamenes IV. vii. i. 79 He would somtimes act the child, as if he were one indeed..; he would also act the old and the young, the wise, the simple, the sprightly, the Blockhead, when he was in the humour to make himself merry.
1734 I. Watts Reliquiæ Juveniles (1789) 18 There are both the sprightly and the stupid, the foolish and the wise.
1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 174. ⁋2 The error..is very frequently incident to the quick, the sprightly, the fearless, and the gay.
1830 Imperial Mag. Dec. 1135/2 Throughout the whole there is a large portion of smirking talent displayed, with which the sprightly and the gay will be highly entertained.
1955 R. Butts Cultural Hist. Educ. (ed. 2) vi. 153 Different adaptations in instruction should be made for the sprightly and the subdued, for the bright, normal, and dull.
1991 Times of India 9 Oct. c2/5 Heera Paana Shopping Center..is for the sprightly and the young at heart.
2. With the. That which is sprightly.
ΚΠ
1815 M. A. Schimmelpenninck Theory Classif. Beauty & Deformity ii. i. 275 A sort of mixture of the sprightly, with a slight tincture of the sublime.
1825 C. M. Westmacott Eng. Spy I. 382 The spreeish or the sprightly.
1851 J. Hamilton Royal Preacher vi. 81 How would it do to combine them?—the sprightly with the grave, the material luxury and the mental vivacity, the wisdom and the wine?
1926 C. Sandburg Abraham Lincoln: Prairie Years I. 256 How to be polite and suave while not stiff nor garrulous, how to mingle the sprightly and the reserved.
1994 A. Bermingham in S. Copley & P. Garside Politics of Picturesque iv. 109 While the appearance of the sentimental inspired love, the sprightly inspired amusement.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.adj.n.a1584- furrow-draining
- furrow-face
- furrow-faced
- furrow-fronted
- furrow-like
- furrow-side
- furrow-slice
- furrow-water
- furrow-weed
- furrowboard
- furrowcloven
- furrowdrain
- furrowdraining
- furrowed
- furrowed-grass
- furrowedgrass
- furrower
- furrowers
- furrowface
- furrowfaced
- furrowfronted
- furrowing
- furrowless
- furrowlike
- furrows