† sirly, a. Obs. rare.
Also 4 serreli, 6 serly, syrlye.
[f. sir n. + -ly1. Cf. surly a.]
Lordly, haughty, imperious.
| c 1350 Will. Palerne 3316 Now William..stifli forþ rides, so serreli þurþ þe cite al him-self one, þat eche weiȝh was a-wondred. 1570 Levins Manip. 100 Serly, imperiosus. 1579 Spenser Sheph. Cal. July 203 Sike syrlye shepheards han we none, They keepen all the path. 1600 Holland Livy xxxv. xxxviii. 911 Syrly lords (say they) were the Macedonians, and rigorous. 1648 J. Beaumont Psyche xix. i, Thine own erected head To far more solid Wretchedness doth bow Than ever made the vilest Reptile be The foot⁓stool of Contempt to sirly Thee. |