ruefully

English

Etymology tree

Proto-Germanic *hrewwaną

Proto-West Germanic *hreuwan

Proto-Indo-European *-h₂

Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂

Proto-Germanic *-ō

Proto-West Germanic *-u

Proto-West Germanic *hreuwu

Old English hrēow

Middle English rewe

Proto-Indo-European *pleh₁-

Proto-Indo-European *-nós

Proto-Indo-European *pl̥h₁nós

Proto-Germanic *fullaz

Proto-Germanic *-fullaz

Old English -ful

Middle English -ful

Middle English reuful

English rueful

Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der.

Proto-Germanic *līkąder.

Proto-Germanic *-līkaz

Proto-Germanic *-ê

Proto-Germanic *-līkê

Proto-West Germanic *-līkē

Old English -līċe

Middle English -ly

English -ly

English ruefully

From rueful + -ly.

ruefully (comparative more ruefully, superlative most ruefully)

In a rueful manner; causing, feeling, or expressing regret or sorrow.
He smiled ruefully at me.

He pushed his straw hat back, scratched his head, and laughed ruefully.

in a rueful manner; causing, feeling or expressing regret or sorrow