[f. WARM a. + -LY2.] In a warm manner.
1. So as to be warm (in temperature); so as to impart warmth. † Also Comb. warmly-wet.
1591. Sylvester, Du Bartas, I. iii. 836. Our mealy grain … Rots to revive; and, warmly-wet, puts forth His root beneath, his bud above the Earth.
1623. J. Taylor (Water P.), Discov. by Sea, B 6 b. Couetousnesse is Embroidered with Extortion, and warmely lined and furred with oppression.
1667. Milton, P. L., IV. 244. Where the morning Sun first warmly smote The open field.
1725. Pope, Odyss., XXIV. 262. His habit course, but warmly wrapt around.
1790. Cowper, On Receipt Mother’s Picture, 59. Thy nightly visits to my chamber made, That thou might’st know me safe and warmly laid.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., I. xxvii. 203. The Aiguille … half of its granite cone was warmly illuminated, and half in shadow.
1914. Blackw. Mag., Aug., 176/2. The sun shone warmly upon him.
2. With warmth of feeling.
a. Fervently, earnestly.
1529. More, Suppl. Soulys, Wks. 336/2. Yet heare we sometime our wiues pray for vs more warmely.
1698. O. Heywood, Diaries (1885), IV. 159. Father and two sons prayd warmly for him.
1766. Goldsm., Vicar W., xxxii. My son’s bride warmly insisted that Lady Thornhill (that was to be) should take the lead.
1836. Thirlwall, Greece, xx. III. 150. Corinth warmly entered into the views of her colony.
1888. Poor Nellie, 145. On a matter I have warmly at heart.
b. With warm affection, gratitude, kindness, admiration, etc.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe, II. (Globe), 433. He spoke this very affectionately and warmly.
1791. Mrs. Radcliffe, Rom. Forest, i. And interested him more warmly in her favour.
1823. Scott, Quentin D., xxvi. They … barely thanked him in very cold terms for his courtesy while at his Court, and something more warmly, for having permitted them to retire.
1826. Disraeli, Viv. Grey, V. xv. All applauded him very warmly.
1876. Hardy, Ethelberta, xxx. Neigh … pressed her fingers more warmly than she thought she had given him warrant for.
1904. Verney Mem., I. 146. Sir Edmund Verney was warmly attached to both husband and wife.
c. With controversial ardor, eagerly.
1665. Boyle, Occas. Refl., VI. iv. (1848), 352. There are not many [Controversies] that have been more curiously and warmly disputed, than the Question, Whether a publick or a private life be preferrable?
1739. Hardwicke, Lett., in G. Harris, Life (1847), I. 424. Points, on wch our friends may be likely warmly to differ.
1830. D’Israeli, Chas. I., III. vi. 90. The King and he often warmly disputed on the principles of a good Government.
d. With warmth of temper.
1776. Trial of J. Fowke, IV. 28/1. The Governor … reproached me warmly for taking up a business in which he was so immediately concerned.
1799. Ht. Lee, Canterb. T., Frenchm. T. (ed. 2), I. 200. ‘Let us not talk of him,’ interrupted Dorsain, warmly.
1838. Lytton, Leila, I. ii. The young king spoke warmly and bitterly.
1873. W. Black, Pr. Thule, xvi. 254. ‘And if he has, whose fault is it?’ the girl said, warmly.
3. With reference to attack or defence: Fiercely, vigorously.
1684. Scanderbeg Rediv., vi. 149. They came briskly on, and Charged very desperately, but being as warmly received,… the Infidels were put to Flight.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 12 March 1672. They so warmly plied our divided fleets, that [etc.].
1708. Lond. Gaz., No. 4493/2. The Germans receiv’d him so warmly, that few of his Men escaped with their Lives.
1755. R. Rogers, Jrnls. (1769), 7. We warmly pursued the enemy,… and obliged them to disperse.
1797. in Nicolas, Disp. Nelson (1845), III. 188. No person has a right to know that the Culloden was not as warmly engaged as any Ship in the Squadron.
