Dictionary

speechlessly en · ADV

Etymology

Etymology tree English speechless Middle English -ly English -ly English speechlessly From speechless + -ly.

Meanings

1. In a speechless manner; without speaking.
   • His eyes grew round and he pointed speechlessly into space. 1971, Richard Carpenter, Catweazle and the Magic Zodiac, Harmondsworth: Puffin Books, page 35:
   • That afternoon they stood at the foot of Mrs. Civil's bed. She was propped up by pillows, and through the little window looking westward the afternoon sun blazed unsparingly on the discoloured face of the sick woman, speechlessly rigid. 1907, Barbara Baynton, edited by Sally Krimmer and Alan Lawson, Human Toll (Portable Australian Authors: Barbara Baynton), St Lucia: University of Queensland Press, published 1980, page 206:
   • He stood there speechlessly. The surprise had rendered him unable to make an intelligible reply.

Forms