loath·ly I. \ˈlōthlē, -th-, -li\adjective Etymology: Middle English lothly, from Old English lāthlic, from lāth hostile, loathsome + -līc -ly : loathsome, repulsive < the loathly lady … changes back again into her original lovely and youthful self — Boris Ford > II. adverb Etymology: Middle English lothly, from Old English lāthlīce, from lāthlīc, adjective : unwillingly