naïvely, adv.
(nɑːˈiːvlɪ, naɪˈiːvlɪ)
Also naively.
[f. as prec. + -ly2, after F. naïvement.]
† 1. Naturally, true to nature. Obs. rare.
| 1640 Sir W. Mure Counterbuff 300 They'le surely trust these men, So Naive-lie represented by thy pen. |
2. In a naïve manner; artlessly.
| 1705 Pope Lett. Wks. 1751 VII. 116 She helped Gay to the head, me to the middle,..and cried very naively, I'll be content with my own tail. 1849 Ruskin Sev. Lamps p. vi, The text..sometimes naïvely describes as sublime or beautiful, features which the plate represents by a blot. 1874 L. Stephen Hours Libr. I. iv. 159 He..enjoys his playthings too naïvely for the pleasure not to be a little contagious. |