Dictionary

loftily en · ADV

Etymology

Etymology tree English lofty Middle English -ly English -ly English loftily From lofty + -ly.

Meanings

1. To a great height.
   • […] trees, most of them bearing blossom or fruit, rose loftily into the air, and extended their broad leaves like parasols to the sun. 1836, Allan Cunningham, Lord Roldan, page 157:
2. With affectation of grandness.
   • "Can you play the violin?" asked Rosemary loftily, out of a chumbling refined mouth. 1959, Anthony Burgess, Beds in the East (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 475:
   • "I should never dream of calling a kid like you a woman," said Digory loftily. 1955, C[live] S[taples] Lewis, The Magician’s Nephew, London: The Bodley Head, →OCLC:

Forms