Dictionary

wolfly en · ADJ

Etymology

From wolf + -ly. Cognate with Middle Dutch wolflijc (“wolflike”), Middle High German wolflich (“wolflike”).

Meanings

1. Pertaining to wolves; lupine.
   • It was too long a shot for real hope of hitting a wolf, but Gwen's luck was in and she grazed one wolf and frightened the bejesus out of both wolves. The wolfly focus shifted to putting as much real estate as possible between themselves and mutton dinners. 2005, Brooks Horsley, Through a Glass Darkly, page 134:
   • It might be tempting to read the observations, descriptions and analyses of wolf social ecology as accounts of wolves living truly wolfly lives when and where they are free of, or uninterrupted by, intruding humans. 2020, Sam George, Bill Hughes, In the company of wolves:
   • "You're an embarrassment to your wolfly ancestors," muttered the earl, though the corners of his mouth twitched up-ward. 2021, Andrea Penrose, Murder at Queen's Landing:
   • "Look at you! You obviously got caught by these man-beasts and now used for some un-wolfly purpose." 2017, Dolph C. Volker, DIRE ENCOUNTERS: The Wolf I Knew, page 56:
   • The modern cottager studies the animals too, through such vehicles as the nighttime wolf howl, in which guides take unsuspecting cottagers into the night, then lead them in howls that might elicit a wolfly response. 2011, Charles Gordon, Still at the Cottage:
2. Like or characteristic of a wolf; wolflike.
   • Har bar, I know that is just your wolfly way to say well done, ... Also you mean to say congrat-arroooshuns for solving lots of tricky cases all at wunce by trying hard, plus normal wolfly sense and brute instinct. 2001, Ian Whybrow, Tony Ross, Little Wolf, Forest Detective:
   • Her golden eyes were intent, and her tongue lolled out in a wolfly smile. 2005, David Eddings, The Malloreon Volume Two, page 380:
   • Back out in the reception room, Benjy found JT leaning against the counter with a wolfly air, both relaxed and alert. 2019, Tanya Chris, Omega Released:

Forms

Deriveds

unwolfly