breathinglyadv.
/ˈbriːðɪŋli/, U.S. /ˈbriðɪŋli/ In a manner involving or resembling breathing; with or as if with life or animation. Also: as softly as the breath.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > source or principle of life > [adverb]
livinglyc1475
lively1495
breathingly1662
animately1822
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
1662 J. Chandler tr. J. B. van Helmont Oriatrike xlviii. 357 He declared the whole Body to be perspirable or breathing thorow, and conspirable or breathingly folding together [L. conspirabile].
1668 J. Evelyn tr. R. Fréart Idea Perfection Painting 101 There is..a Figure stooping down with a pair of Compasses in his hand..who they say, is the Architect Bramante, breathingly like him.
1776 C. Dickens Serm. Opening of Organ All Saints Church 7 The deep solemn Organ..Here erected to remain continually..for that very Thing;—to sound forth breathingly, yet loudly thy praise.
1830 J. Wilson in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 28 527 Perfect spiritual health, breathingly embodied in perfect corporeal flesh and blood.
a1859 L. Hunt Poems (1860) 236 A rill that slips Over the sunny pebbles breathingly.
2000 Times Educ. Suppl. (Nexis) 14 Apr. 23 Jackie Morris's light-rinsed landscapes,..her animals as breathingly, quiveringly real as Hughes makes them in words, make this book worth its price.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2020; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adv.1662