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Earliest known use. Old English. The earliest known use of the adjective goodly is in the Old English period (pre-1150). goodly is a word inherited from Germanic. See etymology. Nearby entries. good liver, n. a1450–. good-living, adj. 1493–. good-looker, n. 1801–.
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.).
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").
Sep 27, 2024 · Etymology 1. [edit] From Middle English goodly, goodlich, gōdlich, from Old English gōdlīċ (“good, goodly”), from Proto-West Germanic *gōdalīk, from Proto-Germanic *gōdalīkaz (“good, goodly”); equivalent to good + -ly. Cognate with Dutch goedelijk, goelijk (“harmless, benign”), German gütlich (“friendly”), Icelandic góðlegur (“benign”). Adjective.
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.
The term “goodly” may appear uncommon in modern English, but it holds a significant presence in historical texts and literature. Here’s an in-depth look at the word, its usage, and implications.
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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.