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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

poorly en · ADV · etymology 1

Pronunciation

  • /ˈpʊɹ.li/ (General-American)
  • (US) audio
  • /ˈpɔɹ.li/ (General-American)
  • /ˈpɔː.li/ (Received-Pronunciation)
  • /ˈpʊə.li/ (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

From Middle English poorly, pouerly, poreliche, poureliche, pouerliche, equivalent to poor + -ly.

Meanings

  1. In a poor manner or condition; without plenty, or sufficiency, or suitable provision for comfort.
    • He uses his employees poorly.
    • to live poorly
  2. With little or no success; indifferently; with little profit or advantage.
    • to do poorly in business
    • “The Budget proposes eliminating Supporting Effective Instruction (SEI) State Grants (Title II State grants), a program that provides formula funds to States to improve the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals, and other schools leaders. SEI grants are poorly targeted and funds are spread too thinly to have a meaningful impact on student outcomes. 2017 May 23, Gregory Krieg and Will Mullery, “Trump’s budget by the numbers: What gets cut and why”, in CNN:
  3. Meanly; without spirit.
    • Nor is their courage or their wealth so low, / That from his wars they poorly would retire. 1667, John Dryden, Annus Mirabilis: The Year of Wonders, 1666. […], London: […] Henry Herringman, […], →OCLC, (please specify the stanza number):
  4. Without skill or merit.
    • He plays tennis poorly.
  5. In a negative manner; with disapproval; unfavorably.
    • I think poorly of them.
    • She looked poorly on that suggestion.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
more poorly Degree=Cmp lexicographic
poorlier Degree=Cmp rare lexicographic
poorliest Degree=Sup rare lexicographic
most poorly Degree=Sup lexicographic

Translations (3)

fi köyhästi (without plenty) · fi köyhänä (without plenty) · pl biednie (without plenty)

poorly en · ADJ · etymology 2

Pronunciation

  • /ˈpʊɹ.li/ (General-American)
  • (US) audio
  • /ˈpɔɹ.li/ (General-American)
  • /ˈpɔː.li/ (Received-Pronunciation)
  • /ˈpʊə.li/ (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *peh₂w- Proto-Indo-European *perh₃-? Proto-Indo-European *peh₂w(o)p(o)rh₃o- Proto-Italic *paw(o)paro-? Latin dīvesinflu. Latin pauper Old French povrebor. Middle English povre English poor Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-West Germanic *-līk Old English -līċ Middle English -ly English -ly English poorly From poor + -ly.

Meanings

  1. (UK) Ill, unwell, sick.
    • We talk about Kim, who is very poorly now. He can hardly see at all, and his legs are suppurating. 2008, Carla van Raay, “The Passing of a Friend”, in The Price of Passion, London: Ebury Press, →ISBN, page 241:
    • A hospital was established very quickly – beds and clean sheets and skilled care – then by ambulance my cousin and I were taken to Celle and here hospital staff were wonderful. […] particular attention was given to my cousin who was poorlier than me […] 2011, Peter Liddle, quoting Manya Stern, “Manya Stern – A Polish Jewess, Life under German Occupation, Forced Labour in Germany, and Survivor of Bergen-Belsen”, in Captured Memories 1930–1945: Across the Threshold of War: The Thirties and the War, Barnsley, South Yorkshire: Pen & Sword Military, →ISBN, section two (1939–1945), subsection “On the Home Front”, page 334:
    • "[…] they'd have the two poorly babies to care for as well." 2007, Connie Anderson, The House in Cedar Avenue, page 281:
    • to report one's child poorly
    • I got poorly when I went abroad and ate the local food.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
poorliest Degree=Sup lexicographic
poorlier Degree=Cmp lexicographic
most poorly Degree=Sup lexicographic
more poorly Degree=Cmp lexicographic

Deriveds

poorliness · poorlyish