purposely, adv.
(ˈpɜːpəslɪ)
[f. purpose n. + -ly2: cf. partly.]
1. Of set purpose; on purpose; by design; designedly; intentionally; deliberately.
| 1495 Act 11 Hen. VII, c. 17 It is ordyned..that no man take any Eyre[r], Gossehauke [etc.] nor purposly drive them oute of their covertes. 1551 R. Robinson tr. More's Utop. ii. v. (1895) 165 They gladly here also the yong men; yea and do purposly prouoke them to talke. a 1656 Bp. Hall Rem. Wks. (1660) 123 A rude fellow spat purposely in his face. 1709 Pope Ess. Crit. 427 If the throng By chance go right, they [the learned] purposely go wrong. 1875 W. S. Hayward Love Agst. World 87 He had purposely waylaid her. |
2. With the particular object specified; for the express purpose; on purpose; expressly.
| 1528 Knight Let. to Wolsey MS. Cott. Vitell. B. x. 32 (cf. Pocock Rec. Ref. I. xxviii. 57) To enduce his holynes to send a legat purposly for hyt. 1588 Shakes. Tit. A. iii. ii. 73 As if it were the Moore, Come hither purposely to poyson me. 1694 Luttrell Brief Rel. (1857) III. 369 A fine new yatch..built purposely for his majestie. 1787 F. Burney Diary 6 Jan., The Queen herself came also, purposely to see him. 1882 Pitman Mission L. Greece & Pal. 175 He left Titus in Crete, purposely to ordain elders. |
† 3. To good purpose; effectively. Obs.
| 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 416 To the intent the matter may the more easely and purposelye [orig. facilius et majori cum fructu] be broughte to passe. |