1. In a blind way; after the manner of the blind; fig. without foresight or reason, deludedly.
c. 893. K. Ælfred, Oros., I. x. § 6. Hu blindlice moneʓe þeoda sprecað ymb þone cristendom.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Antecrist & Meynee, 152. if þe puple … folowe hem blyndly.
1594. Shaks., Rich. III., V. v. 24. The Brother blindely shed the Brothers blood.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Eclog., vi. 52. How Seas, and Earth, and Air and active Flame … Were blindly gather’d in this goodly Ball.
1832. Carlyle, in Fraser’s Mag., V. 399. Whigs struggling blindly forward, Tories holding blindly back.
1855. Longf., Hiaw., Introd. 96. Groping blindly in the darkness.
† 2. Dimly, indistinctly. Obs. Cf. BLIND a. 7.
1686. Lond. Gaz., No. 2168/4. A Dun Gelding … R. B. blindly upon the same Leg.
3. Without an opening. Cf. BLIND a. 11.
1872. Huxley, Phys., viii. 202. The scala media … at its opposite end terminates blindly.
