† ˈlistly, adv. Obs. (or dial.)
Forms: α. 1 listel{iacu}ce, 3 listeliche, 4 lystily, -yly, listely. β. 4 listli, lystly, 4–6, (9) listly.
[OE. listel{iacu}ce (= ON. listulega elegantly, cunningly), f. list skill, art (? u stem: cf. ON. listug-r skilled, polite). With reference to the formation see note s.v. greedily.]
Cunningly, craftily, deftly.
| α c 1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 30 Seoð þonne æt leohtum fyre listelice oþ huniᵹes þicnesse. a 1275 Prov. ælfred 666 in O.E. Misc. 137 He wole stelin þin haite and keren, and listeliche on-suerren. 13.. Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 1190 He..layde hym doun lystyly, & let as he slepte. Ibid. 1334 Þen brek þay þe bale, þe balez out token, Lystily forlancing, & bere of þe knot. c 1350 Will. Palerne 25 Þat litel child listely looked out of his caue. |
| β c 1350 Will. Palerne 2742 He ful listli hem ledes to þat loueli schippe. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints vi. (Thomas) 307 He..lystly lousit sone þe band, Þat thomas had in fwte & hand. Ibid. xxxviii. (Adrian) 296 Scho..softyt hurtis þat ware sare, & listly als kemmyt þare hare. 1503 Dunbar Thistle & Rose 100 This lady..leit him listly lene vpone his kne. [1847 Halliwell, Listly,..easily, distinctly.] |