readily, adv.
(ˈrɛdɪlɪ)
Forms: 4–6 redily, (4 redyli), 5–6 (7) redyly, (5 reddyly), 6 Sc. radilie, 5– readily.
[f. ready a. + -ly2. In early use sometimes difficult to distinguish from redily adv. Formerly compared readilier, -liest (16– 17th c.).]
In a ready manner.
1. Promptly, in respect of the voluntariness of the action; hence, with alacrity or willingness; willingly, cheerfully.
| c 1320 Sir Tristr. 611 He..redily ȝaf him sa Of wel gode mone. Ibid. 1523 Þis tale he bi gan And redyli gan to say. c 1400 Rom. Rose 3293 Thyn herte was Ioly, but not sage, Whan thou were brought in sich a rage, To yelde thee so redily. c 1420 Lydg. Assembly of Gods 1291 That ye lyst to come to me soo reddyly. 1538 Starkey England i. ii. 48 That they promptely and redyly may don that thyng wych ys requyryd. 1581 Mulcaster Positions xxxvii. (1887) 165 To whom the patrones would rediliest yield. 1626 Gouge Serm. Dignity Chivalry §9 Such as..offer themselves readily and chearefully to this honourable service. 1658 Earl of Monmouth tr. Paruta's Wars Cyprus 98 Who shal contribute most, and readiliest, to the service of this his Country. 1777 F. Burney Evelina xxvii, I accepted the offer very readily, and away we went. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 115 Hippocrates readily adopts the suggestion of Socrates. |
2. Promptly, in respect of the time of action; quickly, without delay; also, without difficulty, with ease or facility.
| 1390 Gower Conf. II. 137 This god, which herde of his grevance,..bad him go forth redily Unto a flod was faste by. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 123 b, The more promptly or redily it discerneth & sheweth, what thynges we ought to byleue. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. Ep. Ded., To speake their language redily. 1631 J. Done Polydoron 174 He sent his Sonne in Mans owne figure, to bee the Readilier Cogitated by Man. 1683 Brit. Spec. Pref. 9 The readilier to stir up against him the Animosity of the people. 1766 Goldsm. Vic. W. iii, Her gratitude may be more readily imagined than described. 1846 J. E. Ryland Life Foster II. 101 An allusion will readily be understood. 1873 Hale In His Name vi. 47 He did not mean to be readily overtaken. |
b. Sc. As may easily happen; probably.
| 1643 R. Baillie Lett. & Jrnls. (1841) II. 71 Readilie it may cost him more time. 1883 A. S. Swan Aldersyde i. ii, Sandy Riddell wull hae been here the day readily? |
† 3. In a state of readiness. Obs. rare—1.
| c 1400 Mandeville (Roxb.) xxv. 118 Þai schall fynd before þam redily puruayd all maner of thinges þat er necessary. |