Dictionary

sportfully en · ADV

Etymology

From sportful + -ly.

Meanings

1. (archaic) playfully
   • My stature gives no inch I throw away; My supple joints play free and sportfully; I'm every atom what a man should be. 1887, James Sheridan Knowles, The Love-Chase:
   • In a play, "The Rovers," he sportfully satirized the romantic drama of Schiller, "The Robbers." 1911, John Holland Rose, William Pitt and the Great War:
   • All took the word, to the gay band they hied, The queen, besure, was close to Lanval's side, Sprightly she seem'd, and sportfully did toy, And caught his hand to dance, and led the general joy, Lanval alone was dull where all was gay, His thoughts were fixed on his lovely fay: Soon as he deftly might, he fled the throng; And her dear name nigh trembled on his tongue, When the fond queen, who well had trac'd his flight, Stepp'd forth, and cross'd his disappointed sight. 1816, Matilda Betham, The Lay of Marie:

Forms