▪ I. partly, adv.
(ˈpɑːtlɪ)
[f. part n. + -ly2.]
1. With respect to a part; in part; in some measure or degree: not wholly. (Usually repeated in reference to each of the parts considered.)
| 1523 Skelton Garl. Laurel 1054 Partly by your councell,..Was my fresshe coronell. 1563 Shute Archit. B ij, Partelye for their beautye,..partelye for their fortitude and strength. 1570 Levins Manip. 101/5, 6 Partly redde, rubicundus. Partly fayre, pulchrellus. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 78 The Curdi, that were Participles or Mungrels in Religion, professing partly Christ, partly Mahumet. 1712 Addison Spect. No. 269 ¶12 Hearing the Knight's Reflexions, which were partly private, and partly political. 1873 Act 36 & 37 Vict. c. 85 §8 Every such agreement shall be in writing or in print, or partly in writing and partly in print. |
b. Usually hyphened to a participial adjective when preceding its substantive.
| 1888 J. Payn Myst. Mirbridge xxiv, A partly-heard conversation. 1891 T. Hardy Tess lvi. (1900) 137/2 Within the partly-closed door. 1898 Westm. Gaz. 18 July 8/1 The whole of the partly-paid shares of the new company. |
† 2. partly-coloured, parti-coloured. Obs.
| 1582 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxford (1880) 430 Scottyshe cappes partelie colored. |
▪ II. partly
obs. form of pertly.