Dictionary

starchly en · ADV

Etymology

From starch + -ly.

Meanings

1. (rare) In a starched or starchy manner; stiffly, formally
   • But then, as Bell told Kunta later, from the moment the first carriage arrived, Missy Anne suddenly had acted as if she didn't even know the starchly uniformed aproned Kizzy, who kept circulating among the guests bearing trays of refreshments, “till de po' chile come bustin' in de kitchen cryin' her eyes out.” 2007, Alex Haley, Roots-Thirtieth Anniversary Edition: The Saga of an American Family:
   • Starchly Crisp; hole cancelled 1969, The Numismatist, volume 82, page 1496:
   • I did not see that quilting made me a Jake, and I replied starchly, "Madam, I purchased these fabrics on my walk just now." 2001, Sandra Dallas, Alice's Tulips: A Novel, page 116:

Forms