mauley slang.
(ˈmɔːlɪ)
Also maul(l)y, mawl(e)y, morley, ? mylier.
[? f. maul v.; but cf. Shelta (tinker's dialect) malya, said to be a transposition of Gaelic lamh hand.]
A hand, a fist.
| 1780 G. Parker Life's Painter 116, I say, how are you? Slang us your mauly. Ibid. 139 A Queen Elizabeth in her maully, that is, the key of the street door in her hand. 1842 De Quincey Mod. Greece Wks. 1862 XIII. 326 Holding in his dexter ‘mauley’ a red herring. 1888 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Robbery under Arms i, It takes a good man to..stand up to me with the gloves, or the naked mauleys. 1891 Carew Autob. Gypsy xxxv. 414 Being jest a bit too 'andy with my myliers. |
b. The ‘hand’ that one writes; handwriting.
| 1851 Mayhew Lond. Labour I. 313 If they ‘granny the mauley’ (perceive the signature) of a brother officer or friend. |