fearfully, adv.
(ˈfɪəfʊlɪ)
[f. prec. + -ly2.]
I. objectively: With communication of fear.
1. So as to cause fear; dreadfully; terribly.
| 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 245 b, The..impenitent synners..be..drawen downe to hell moost terribly or feerfully. 1586 Cogan Haven Health ccxli. (1636) 272 That hee bee not waked sodainely and fearefully. 1605 Shakes. Lear iv. i. 77 There is a Cliffe, whose..bending head Lookes fearfully in the confined Deepe. 1641 Hinde J. Bruen xlvi. 148 This wicked fellow..within three dayes died most fearefully. 1821 Shelley Adonais lv, I am borne darkly, fearfully, afar. 1828 Scott F.M. Perth xxv, I was yesterday fearfully undeceived. |
2. To a fearful extent or degree. Often hyperbolically as a mere intensive: cf. fearful 2.
| 1835 Dickens Let. 16 Dec. (1965) I. 106 This place is fearfully dull, and I have seen neither a newspaper or a book since I came down here. 1838 ― Nich. Nick. ii, Smoking fearfully. 1862 Sir B. Brodie Psychol. Inq. II. iii. 95 The evils arising from the use of alcohol have been fearfully aggravated by the invention of distillation. 1878 Smiles Robt. Dick vii. 76 It was fearfully warm. 1878 Mrs. H. Wood Pomeroy Ab. I. 25 Dinner? that's right, I am fearfully hungry. |
II. subjectively: With a feeling of fear.
3. In a manner indicating fear; timidly, in fear.
| 1548 Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. Matt. iii. 7 They demaunde of him fearfully what he thinketh best for them to do. 1602 Marston Antonio's Rev. v. iii, I might observe The graver statesmen whispering fearefully. 1658 Cleveland Rustic Rampant Wks. (1687) 501 The Abbot..fearfully summons in his Friends to guard him. 1730 Wesley Wks. (1830) I. 8 Walk as prudently as you can, though not fearfully. 1832 Marryat N. Forster xix, A black head was seen to rise..fearfully out of the fore-scuttle. |
† 4. a. In a state of apprehension or uneasiness; anxiously. b. Cautiously, with hesitation. Obs.
| 1586 A. Day Eng. Secretary ii. (1625) 28 This pure living (once in manner lost, afterwards recovered and yet stil fearefully kept). 1598 Barret Theor. Warres v. i. 147 Whosoeuer shall..march slow or fearefully. c 1610 Sir J. Melvil Mem. (1683) 18 The Spaniards..compelled our foot to retire fearfully. 1727 Bradley Fam. Dict. s.v. Hunt, His old Hounds..will hunt leisurely and fearfully. |