ˈdreely, dreighly, adv. Now Sc. and north. dial.
[f. dree a. + -ly2.]
† 1. Heavily, mightily, vehemently, stiffly. Obs.
| 13.. E.E. Allit. P. C. 235 Drof hem dryȝlych adoun þe depe. 13.. Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 1026 Þay..þe wyn dronken, Daunsed ful dreȝly wyth dere carolez. c 1460 Towneley Myst. (Surtees) 90 And thou drynk drely, in thy polle wylle it synk. c 1475 Rauf Coilȝear 217 They drank dreichlie about. |
2. Slowly, persistently. dial.
| 1828 Craven Dialect, Dreely, slowly, though continuous. ‘It rains dreely’. 1868 Holme Lee B. Godfrey xlvi. 251 Father called thee dreely. |