▪ I. ˈfitly, a. rare.
[f. fit a. + -ly1.]
= fit a.
| 1573 Tusser Husb. (1878) 183 Giue childe that is fitly. 1840 Browning Sordello vi. 441 'Twere fitliest maintain the Guelfs in rule. |
▪ II. fitly, adv.
(ˈfɪtlɪ)
[f. fit a. + -ly2.]
1. In a way that is fit; properly, aptly, becomingly, suitably, appropriately.
| c 1550 in Strype Cranmer (1694) App. No. 49. 138 Their heads [standith] most fyttely on London bridge. 15.. Turbervile Compl. lost Dove, Epitaphes etc. (1567) 130 b, Eche part so fitly pight as none mought chaunge his place. 1607 Shakes. Cor. iv. ii. 34 Cats that can iudge as fitly of his worth, As I can of those Mysteries. 1667 Milton P.L. viii. 394 So fitly them in pairs thou hast combin'd. 1732 Berkeley Alciphr. i. §2 The mind of man may be fitly compared to a piece of land. a 1822 Shelley Cyclops 193 Well, is the dinner fitly cooked and laid? 1870 Swinburne Ess. & Stud. (1875) 277 Seen fitlier by starlight than by sunlight. |
† b. At the fitting time or season. Obs.
| 1605 Shakes. Lear i. ii. 184 From whence I will fitly bring you to heare my Lord speake. 1611 Bible Prov. xxv. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of siluer. 1623–6 Cockeram ii, Fitly, opportunely. |
2. Comb., as fitly-contrived, fitly-fair.
| 1598 Sylvester Du Bartas ii. ii. iv. Columnes 375 Our Learned Elders..Heav'n's shining Signes imagin'd fitly-fair. 1677 Gilpin Demonol. (1867) 182 A fitly-contrived subject. |