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1150—1500
- The earliest known use of the adverb goodly is in the Middle English period (1150—1500). OED's earliest evidence for goodly is from around 1275, in the writing of Layamon, poet.
It may come as a surprise, then, that the word “goodly” also exists in English and was quite common in the past (but it does not mean the same as “well”). “Goodly” is an adjective, not an adverb, and has two different meanings, both of which are rather formal or archaic.
Sep 28, 2017 · Old English god (with a long "o"), "that which is good, a good thing; goodness; advantage, benefit; gift; virtue; property;" from good (adj.). Meaning "the good side" (of something) is from 1660s. Phrase for good "finally, permanently" attested from 1711, a shortening of for good and all (16c.).
Oct 24, 2017 · The regular adverb "goodly" does exist, but takes some of the old meanings of "well". It means "abundant", and is usually used as an adjective (it has been used as an adjective since Old English): "I ate a goodly amount of pie" means "I ate a lot of pie" - however it's not common.
Origin & history I. From Middle English goodly, goodlich, gōdlich, from Old English gōdlīċ ("good, goodly"), from Proto-Germanic *gōdalīkaz ("good, goodly"), equivalent to good + -ly. Cognate with German gütlich ("friendly"), Icelandic góðlegur ("benign").
GOOD'LY, adjective Being of a handsome form; beautiful; graceful; as a goodly person; goodly raiment; goodly houses. 1. Pleasant; agreeable; desirable; as goodly days. 2. Bulky; swelling; affectedly turgid. Websters Dictionary 1828 – Online Edition is an excellent reference for classical literature and Bible studies.
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Sep 27, 2024 · [edit] goodliness. Etymology 2. [edit] From Middle English goodly, goodliche, gōdliche, from Old English gōdlīċe (“goodly”), from the adjective; equivalent to good + -ly. Cognate with Middle High German guotlīche, güetlīche. Adverb. [edit] goodly (comparative goodlier, superlative goodliest) (obsolete) In a goodly way; courteously, graciously.
