delightfully, adv.
(dɪˈlaɪtfʊlɪ)
[f. prec. + -ly2.]
1. In a delightful manner; in a way that affords delight; charmingly.
| 1580 Sidney Arcadia i. (R.), The flock of unspeakable virtues, held up delightfully in that best builded fold. 1625 Bacon Ess. Gardens (Arb.) 558 Those which Perfume the Aire most delightfully. 1788 F. Burney Diary 2 Jan., My dear father was delightfully well and gay. 1848 C. Brontë J. Eyre xvi. (1873) 160 She sang delightfully: it was a treat to listen to her. 1865 Mrs. Carlyle Lett. III. 281 The air to-day is delightfully fresh. |
† 2. With experience of delight, delightedly.
| a 1569 A. Kingsmill Confl. Satan (1578) 7 It must shutte up thine eyes from delightfully seeing sin. 1678 Wanley Wond. Lit. World Ded. A ij, These things I have many times delightfully considered of. 1749 C. Wesley Hymn, ‘Forth in Thy Name’, For Thee delightfully [to] employ Whate'er Thy bounteous grace hath given. |