ruly
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Etymology 1 [edit]
From Middle English ruly, rewly, rewely, reweliche, from Old English hrēowlīċ (“grievous, pitiful, sad, wretched, cruel”), equivalent to rue + -ly.
Adjective [edit]
ruly (comparative rulier or more ruly, superlative ruliest or most ruly)
Etymology 2 [edit]
From Middle English rewly, reoly.
Adverb [edit]
ruly (comparative rulier or more ruly, superlative ruliest or most ruly)
Etymology 3 [edit]
Back-formation from unruly, or perhaps a continuation of Middle English ruly, reuli (“subject to a religious rule, regular”), equivalent to rule + -ly, rule + -y; or perhaps from Old French rulé, reulé, rieulé (“ruled”), past participle of rieuler (“to rule”). More at rule.
Adjective [edit]
ruly (comparative rulier, superlative ruliest)
