headly en · ADJ
Etymology
From Middle English hedly, havedlich, from Old English hēafodlīċ (“at the top, principal, capital, deadly”), equivalent to head + -ly. Cognate with West Frisian haadlik, Dutch hoofdelijk, Middle Low German hö̂vetlī̂k, Middle High German houbetlich (archaic German hauptlich). Piecewise doublet of chefly and chiefly.
Meanings
-
(archaic) Chief; principal; capital; (of sins) deadly.
O'er blows the filthy and contagious clouds / Of headly murther, spoil, and villainy.
1623, Shakespeare, King Henry V.:
- (archaic) Heady; violent; impetuous.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| more headly | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic | |
| most headly | Degree=Sup | lexicographic |