twittinglyadv.
/ˈtwɪtɪŋli/, U.S. /ˈtwɪdɪŋli/ By way of censure or reproach (esp. of a light or good-humoured kind); tauntingly, teasingly.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > reproach > [adverb]
tauntingly1549
upbraidingly1593
twittingly1638
reproachingly1675
reproachfully1838
1638 R. Younge Drunkard's Char. 661 She had a Boy, which (as Sr. Thomas wittily and twittingly told her) would be a Boy, so long as he lived.
1675 tr. W. Camden Hist. Princess Elizabeth (rev. ed.) i. 125 Having reckoned all his Civilities to the English Nation, he twittingly upbraided them therewith.
?1735 ‘R. Nab’ Addr. Batchelors Great-Brit. 52 Some leering, puny fac'd Fop, whom, out of her great Generosity, she very twittingly tells you, she discards.
1838 B. Corney Ideas on Controv. 20 The points whereon you may have been criticised rather twittingly.
1872 A. M. Brown Wintering at Menton on Riviera x. 105 A failing..with which they are sometimes twittingly reminded by their neighbours.
1917 J. London Jerry of Islands iv. 56 Borckman was twittingly asked how many drinks he had taken, and if that was what accounted for his shooting being under his average.
1977 N.Y. Mag. 28 Nov. 49 (advt.) He asked how I liked his new blazer. ‘Don't quite know,’ I replied twittingly. ‘Let me see the label.’
1992 Sun Jrnl. (New Bern, N. Carolina) 5 Aug. b6/5 Bill Clinton suggested twittingly that no political advertisements should be shown unless the sponsor of the ad submitted to a truth test.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.1638