gradely en · ADJ · etymology 1
Pronunciation
- /ˈɡɹeɪdlɪ/
Etymology
From earlier graithly, from Middle English graythely, greiþli, greiðlic, from Old Norse greiðligr, equivalent to graith + -ly.
Meanings
-
(Northern-England, of a person) decent, well-meaning, respectable
My work has meant travelling the world over, to great places and small, but home to me always means Rochdale and its gradely folk.
1956, Gracie Fields, Lancashire Life:
-
excellent
Yo're well off to ha' Betsy Ogden comin' in; she's a gradely worker.
1881, Elizabeth Sophia Watson, Crabtree Fold: A Tale of the Lancashire Moors, page 53:
-
handsome, fair
This is a hard road for a gradely foot like that. Will ye up, lass, and ride behind me?
1863, Charles Kingsley, The Water-Babies, A Fairy Tale for a Land Baby, page 13:
- real, proper
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| grathely | alternative | lexicographic | |
| graithlye | Scotland, alternative | lexicographic | |
| gradelier | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic | |
| graythely | alternative, obsolete | lexicographic | |
| graadly | alternative | lexicographic | |
| greadly | alternative | lexicographic | |
| graythlie | Scotland, alternative | lexicographic | |
| greadley | alternative | lexicographic | |
| graidely | alternative | lexicographic | |
| graithlie | Scotland, alternative | lexicographic | |
| grathlie | Scotland, alternative | lexicographic | |
| graithly | Scotland, alternative | lexicographic | |
| graithly | alternative, obsolete | lexicographic | |
| graidly | alternative | lexicographic | |
| graideley | alternative | lexicographic | |
| gradeliest | Degree=Sup | lexicographic | |
| grathly | Scotland, alternative | lexicographic | |
| grathly | alternative, obsolete | lexicographic |