awfully, adv.
(ˈɔːfʊlɪ)
[f. prec. + -ly2; cf. OE. ęᵹesfull{iacu}c.]
In an awful manner.
I. objectively: With communication of awe.
1. So as to cause terror; terribly, dreadfully.
| 1375 Barbour Bruce iv. 321 Than lukit he awfully thame to. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. III. 51 Richart..aufullie syne enterit in the toun, With greit distructioun baith in fyre and blude. 1687 Dryden Hind & P. i. 304 The Lyon awfully forbids the prey. a 1839 Praed Red Fisherm., Awfully were his features wrought By some dark dream. |
2. So as to command reverence, or impress the imagination; sublimely, majestically.
| a 1300 E.E. Psalter cxxxix. 14 Mikled ertou aghfulli. 1727 Thomson Summer 187 Who, Light himself!..dwells awfully retired From mortal eye. 1858 Hawthorne Fr. & It. Jrnls. I. 198 However awfully holy the subject. |
3. slang, as simple intensive: Very, exceedingly, extremely. [Cf. Gr. δεινῶς awfully, exceedingly.]
| [1830 Gen. P. Thompson Exerc. (1842) I. 238 He will have made an awfully bad choice if he comes to be sentenced to be hanged.] 1859 Lang Wand. India 154 In the way of money-making..he is awfully clever. 1878 Black Green Past. ii. 15 You'll be awfully glad to get rid of me. Mod. It was awfully jolly! |
II. subjectively: With a feeling of awe; with fear, timidly; with reverential fear, reverently. arch.
| 1583 Golding Calvin on Deut. viii. 43 To walke so much the more awefully when God hath shewed himselfe so bountiful. 1665 Dryden To Duchess of York 18 The waves in ranks were cast, As awfully as when God's people pass'd. 1725 Pope Odyss. xxiv. 126 And tim'rous pass'd, and awfully withdrew. 1790 Burke Fr. Rev. 138 Awefully impressed with an idea that they act in trust. [1820 Keats Isabel vi, His heart beat awfully against his side.] |