▪ I. † ˈderfly, a. Obs.
[? f. derf a. + -ly1: cf. ON. djarfligr bold, daring.]
Grievous, terrible, dreadful; = derf a. 3.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 1143 (Cott.) Þi derfli dede has liknes nan. Ibid. 7182 To derfly ded þai suld him bring. |
▪ II. † ˈderfly, adv. Obs.
Forms: see derf a.
[f. derf a. + -ly2. Cf. ON. djarfliga boldly.]
1. Boldly; fiercely.
| c 1200 Ormin 9752 Forrþi toc hem Sannt Iohann Deorrf⁓like to begrippen. c 1220 Bestiary 411 For to winnen fode derflike wiðuten dred. c 1340 Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 2334 How þat doȝty dredles deruely þer stondez. a 1400–50 Alexander 2942 Þan has ser Dary dedeyne, & derfely [Dublin MS. darfly] he lokes. |
2. Forcibly, violently.
| c 1200 Ormin 16195 Þatt tuss derrfliche drifesst alle þis follc ut off þiss minstre. c 1340 Cursor M. 19712 (Edin.) Þai toke þair rede derueli [v.r. derfli] do him to þe dede. c 1400 Melayne 1033 So darfely bothe thaire dynttis thay driste. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. I. 41 Eolus..In Yrland cost rycht darflie did thame dryve. a 1605 Polwart Flyting w. Montgomerie 542 To dreadfull dolour dearfly or ȝe dryue him. |
b. Quickly, promptly.
| c 1325 E.E. Allit. P. B. 1641 Derfly þenne Danyel deles þyse wordes. a 1400–50 Alexander 3006 Derfly on þe toþir day a douth he assembles. c 1475 Rauf Coilȝear 798 To the Montane he maid him full boun..Derflie ouir Daillis. |
3. Grievously, terribly.
| a 1225 Ancr. R. 114 Þus was Iesu Crist..in alle his fif wittes derfliche ipined. ? a 1400 Morte Arth. 3278 And there-fore derflyche I am dampnede for ever! |