haply, adv. Now arch. or poet.
(ˈhæplɪ)
Also 4 hapliche, 5–7 happely.
[f. hap n.1 + -ly2. The form happely connects this with happily.]
‘By hap’; by chance or accident; perhaps, perchance; mayhap, maybe.
| 1362 Langl. P. Pl. A. vi. 104 Þe dore I-closet..to [kepe] þe þer-oute; Hapliche, an Hundred ȝer er þou eft entre. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 76 b/1 Or I was unworthy to them or happely they were unworthy to me. 1526 Tindale Acts v. 39 Lest haply ye be founde to stryve agaynst god. 1604 Shakes. Oth. iv. ii. 44 If happely you my Father do suspect. 1650 R. Stapylton Strada's Low C. Warres ii. 33 Some of them may be negligent..and some happely ignorant. 1667 Milton P.L. iv. 378 My dwelling haply may not please..your sense. 1703 Rowe Fair Penit. i. i. 147 Hap'ly I stole unheeded to her Chamber. 1750 Gray Elegy 97 Haply some hoary-headed swain may say [etc.]. a 1862 Buckle Civiliz. III. v. 481 This age, haply, may not witness the emancipation. |