diversly, adv.
(ˈdaɪvəzlɪ)
[f. divers a. + -ly2. Formerly not distinguishable from diversely.]
1. In divers ways, variously; formerly, Differently, diversely (of which this was a common spelling before 1700); in some recent writers = In several or sundry ways.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 21807 (Cott.) Þis tale.. Mani telles diuersli [Fairf. diuerseli] For þai find diuers stori. c 1384 Chaucer H. Fame iii. 810 Somme folke have desired fame Diversly. 1393 Langl. P. Pl. C. xvi. 79 Alle we ben brethren þauh we be diuersliche cloþede. 1526 Tindale Heb. i. 1 God in tyme past diversly and many wayes [etc.]. 1594 Spenser Amoretti liv, Disguysing diuersly my troubled wits. 1614 Raleigh Hist. World ii. iii. §6 Divers have diversly set downe the forme of the Hebrew yeare. 1639 Horn & Rob. Gate Lang. Unl. lxiv. §669 Stubborn enemies..are torn in peeces of horses, diversly driven. 1791–1823 D'Israeli Cur. Lit., Jews of York, They flew diversly in great consternation. a 1834 Coleridge Confess. Enquir. Spirit iii. (1853) 64 One spirit, working diversly, now awakening strength, and now glorifying itself in weakness. [See Author's Note.] 1881 Swinburne Mary Stuart iii. i. 112 Men's minds Are with affections diversly distraught. |
† 2. [= OF. diversement.] Wickedly, evilly, perversely. Obs. rare.
| 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. vi. 4 This sayd kyng gouerned right diuersly his realme by y⊇ exortacion of Sir Hewe Spencer. |