tentifly

Middle English

Etymology

From tentif, from Old French tentif, possibly a form of atentif.

Adverb

tentifly

1. attentively; intensely
   • 1387–1400, [Geoffrey] Chaucer, “The [Clerkys] Tale [of Oxenford]”, in The Tales of Caunt́bury (Hengwrt Chaucer; Peniarth Manuscript 392D), Aberystwyth, Ceredigion: National Library of Wales, published [c. 1400–1410], →OCLC, folio 178, recto:

     And in the chambre whil they were aboute / hir tretys whith as ye shal after heere / The peple cam un to the hous with oute / And wondred hem in how honeste manere / And tentifly she kepte her fader deere

     And, in the chamber, while they were about / Their business (which you will hear about after) / The people came into the house / And wondered by what honest means / She'd so attentively cared for and protected her father.

Derived terms

• English: tentively