regularly, adv.
(ˈrɛgjʊləlɪ)
[f. regular + -ly2.]
In a regular manner.
1. At the proper times; at fixed times or intervals; without interruption of recurrence; constantly.
| 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 247 Whiche seruyce or houres canonicall, regularly we synge, rede, or saye in the chirche. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 141 ¶10, I regularly frequented coffee-houses. 1788 Gibbon Decl. & F. l. V. 246 Till the third day before his death, he regularly performed the function of public prayer. 1802 M. Edgeworth Moral T. (1816) I. ii. 10 He passed through..regularly twice a-day. 1885 Manch. Exam. 10 July 5/2 The mine was regularly worked with naked lights. |
† b. Invariably; in all cases. Obs. rare—1.
| 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. iii. xv. 141 Some have foure stomacks..; but for the principall parts, the liver, heart, and especially the braine, regularly it is but one in any kinde or species whatsoever. |
c. Steadily, equably.
| 1825 J. Nicholson Operat. Mechanic 3 Now as its velocity increases regularly, we may conclude, that [etc.]. |
2. In accordance with rule or established principles; in a proper or formally correct manner.
| 1570 Foxe A. & M. (ed. 2) 84/1 After his death she is free from the law, to mary to whom she wyll, so it be in the Lord, that is, regulariter, regularely. 1611 Cotgr., Regulierement, regularly, canonically, orderly. a 1665 J. Goodwin Filled w. the Spirit (1867) 36 A covenant or deed in writing is made good in law by a seal, regularly affixed to it. 1769 Junius Lett. xvi. (1788) 97 It came regularly before the house, and it was their business to determine upon it. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vii. II. 193 He well knew that, if the crown descended to his wife regularly, all its prerogatives would descend unimpaired with it. 1868 Freeman Norm. Conq. (1877) II. ix. 351 Spearhafoc..had been regularly nominated to the bishopric. |
b. In the usual or customary manner.
| 1807 Med. Jrnl. XXII. 517 One of the men servants..was infected from one of the pustules, and had the disease regularly. |
3. In a methodical or orderly manner; with observance of due order or method.
| 1668 Dryden Dram. Poesy Ess. (Ker) I. 73 If then the parts are managed so regularly, that the beauty of the whole be kept entire. 1689 Burnet Tracts I. 87 There was..an Anthem sung by a set of Musicians very regularly. 1704 Hearne Duct. Hist. (1714) I. 206 During the Life-time of Jehoiada..Jehoaash behaved himself regularly, and governed well. 1810 Wellington 24 Mar. in Gurw. Desp. (1838) V. 593 They are bringing a battering train into Spain from France, which looks like an intention to go regularly to work. 1836 Sir W. Hamilton Metaph. i. (1870) I. 9 This question has never, in so far as I am aware, been regularly discussed. |
4. In a symmetrical or harmoniously proportioned manner; with proper correspondence of parts, etc.
| 1695 Dryden tr. Dufresnoy's Art Painting Observ. (1716) 130 Those great Painters..had indeed made things more regularly true, but withall very unpleasing. 1712 Steele Spect. No. 478 ¶7 Shelves, on which Boxes are to stand as regularly as Books in a Library. 1719 De Foe Crusoe ii. xiii, The city..is regularly built, the streets..straight. 1860 Tyndall Glac. ii. xxvii. 379 The whole forming a regularly laminated mass. 1894 Du Maurier Trilby II. 89 Both had regularly-featured faces of a noble cast. |
5. colloq. Thoroughly, completely. Chiefly with participles.
| 1789 Triumphs of Fortitude II. 4 A young fellow..who is what may be called regularly dissipated. 1832 J. H. Newman Lett. (1891) I. 274 Not that I expect to be regularly well as long as I live. 1848 Dickens Dombey xii, Your father's regularly rich, ain't he? 1890 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Col. Reformer (1891) 263 Glad to see you are regularly embarked in squatting life. |
So † ˈregularness, regularity. Obs.
| 1648 Nethersole Self-condemned (1649) 4 The equity and regularnesse of..the said proceedings. 1672 Boyle Virtues of Gems 56 Long Christals..that did emulate native Christal as well in the regularness of the shape as in the transparency of the substance. |