Dictionary

matily en · ADV

Etymology

From maty + -ly.

Meanings

1. (UK) Friendlily, like a mate.
   • “Reading?” I said. He lowered his book – one of Ma Cream's, I noticed – and flashed an upper lip at me. “Your powers of observation have not led you astray, Wooster. I am reading.” “Interesting book?” “Very. I am counting the minutes until I can resume its perusal undisturbed.” I'm pretty quick, and I at once spotted that the atmosphere was not of the utmost cordiality. He hadn't spoken matily, and he wasn't eyeing me matily. His whole manner seemed to suggest that he felt that I was taking up space in the room which could have been better employed for other purposes. 1960, P[elham] G[renville] Wodehouse, chapter XVI, in Jeeves in the Offing, London: Herbert Jenkins, →OCLC:
   • McCormack rounded a bush and Chisholm reared up out of nowhere, a grinning scarecrow, his arm wrapped matily round the boy's shoulders, a pistol jammed against the boy's temple. 2022, Liam McIlvanney, The Heretic, page 449:

Forms