adv. Forms: 1 blíðelíce, 2 blyðelice, 2–3 bluþeliche, bliðeliche, 3 bliðelike, blithlik, -li, 3–4 blythly, blitheliche, 4 bly-, bliþely, 4–5 blithly, 6 Sc. blyithlye, -lyke, 6–8 blythely, 6– blithely. [f. BLITHE a. + -LY2.]

1

  † 1.  With kindness, benignantly. Obs.

2

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Luke xix. 6. Ða efste he and hine bliþelice onfengc.

3

c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, XXII. 9109. There the body of the bold blithly was set, Of honerable Ector, as I ere said.

4

1592.  Greene, Poems, 137. Astraea … ’Gan blythely comfort me.

5

  2.  In a blithe manner; joyfully, joyously, merrily; gladly.

6

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 23. Þu gast to chirche bluþeliche.

7

c. 1230.  Hali Meid., 3. Þat … heo him ase fader þe bliðeluker lustni.

8

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 3243. Blithli, sir, it sal be don.

9

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, VIII. 457. He vald ysche fer the blithlyer.

10

1513.  Douglas, Æneis, III. iii. 40. Tell thi awne fadir blythlie Thir tithingis.

11

1791.  Burns, Craigieburn Wood, i. And blythely awaukens the morrow.

12

1794.  Southey, Lyric P., To Hymen. Returning blithely home.

13

1820.  Scott, Monast., x. I listened blithely enough.

14