horribly, adv.
(ˈhɒrɪblɪ)
[f. as prec. + -ly2.]
In a horrible manner, or to a horrible degree; so as to make one shudder or tremble; dreadfully, awfully, frightfully: sometimes as a strong intensive = Exceedingly (properly before an adj. having an objectionable sense).
| 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 2340 Foule devels of helle..horribely defygurd thurgh syn. 1382 Wyclif Wisd. vi. 6 Orribleli [1388 Hidousli] and soone he shal apere to ȝou. c 1386 Chaucer Monk's T. 627 He stank horriblely That noon of al his meynee þat hym kepte..Ne myghte noght for stynk of hym endure. c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 4864 He cryed orrybelly and confest clene. 1480 Caxton Chron. Eng. clxxxi. 161 Horrybelyche they tormented the body. 1535 Coverdale Esther (Apocr.) xvi. 24 All cities and londes that do not this, shal horribly perish. 1599 Shakes. Much Ado ii. iii. 243, I wil be horribly in loue with her. 1671 Milton Samson 1510 What hideous noise was that? Horribly loud, unlike the former shout. 1711 Swift Lett. (1767) III. 261, I am horribly down at present. 1818 Byron Ch. Har. iv. lxxii, A matchless cataract, Horribly beautiful. 1884 F. M. Crawford Rom. Singer I. 8 Suddenly his voice cracked horribly. |