ly-
1 of 3combining form
variants or lyo-
1
: degrading : reduction
lyase
2
: dispersed state : dispersion
lyophilic
-ly
2 of 3adjective suffix
lē;
in some dialects, especially British, Southern, New England, often but not shown at individual entries li
1
: like in appearance, manner, or nature : having the characteristics of
queenly
fatherly
2
: characterized by regular recurrence in (specified) units of time : every
hourly
weekly
-ly
3 of 3adverb suffix
1
a
: in a (specified) manner
slowly
b
: at a (specified) time interval
annually
2
: from a (specified) point of view
eschatologically
3
: with respect to
partly
4
: to a (specified) degree
relatively
5
: in a (specified) place in a series
secondly
Example Sentences
Adverb suffix The paper is published weekly.
Word History
Etymology
Combining form
International Scientific Vocabulary, from Greek lyein to loosen, dissolve — more at lose
Adjective suffix
Middle English, from Old English -līc, -lic; akin to Old High German -līh, -lic, Old English līc body — more at like entry 3
Adverb suffix
Middle English, from Old English -līce, -lice, from -līc, adjective suffix
Kids Definition
-ly 1 of 2
adjective suffix
lē
1
: like : similar to
fatherly
2
: happening in each specified period of time : every
hourly
-ly
2 of 2adverb suffix
1
: in a specified manner
slowly
2
: from a specified point of view
grammatically