† ˈprestly, adv. Obs.
Also 4–5 pristly, prystly, 6 preastly.
[f. prest a. + -ly2.]
1. Readily, quickly, promptly, immediately.
| 1340 Ayenb. 140 Þe ournemens of boȝsamnesse byeþ zeuen, þet ys, þet me bouȝe prestliche, gledliche, simpleliche, klenliche, generalliche, zuyftliche, and wiluolliche. c 1350 Will. Palerne 1146 Boþe partiȝes prestly a-paraylde hem. ? a 1400 Morte Arth. 2762 He flenges to syr Florent, and prystly he kryes,—‘Why flees thow, falls knyghte? þe fende hafe þi saule!’ c 1420 Avow. Arth. xix, He prekut oute prestely. 15.. Adam Bel & Clym of Clough 451 They preced prestly into the hall. 1548 Udall Erasm. Par. Luke xxiv. 189 b, His speciall great strength..was preastly and readily shewed foorth at the houre of his death. c 1557 Abp. Parker Ps. ciii. 288 His sauing helth comth prestly on To ryd thy life from peryls all. |
2. Eagerly, urgently, earnestly.
| c 1400 Destr. Troy 230 Yiff þu puttes þe pristly þis point for to do. 1522 World & Child in Hazl. Dodsley I. 253 Now pray you prestly on every side To God omnipotent. 1642 H. More Song of Soul ii. i. ii. x, The heart, the heart⁓bloud, brains fleet aire, hot fire To be the thing that they so prestly sought, Some have defin'd. |