adv. [f. WASTEFUL a. + -LY2.] In a wasteful manner.
1. In a manner involving waste; without regard to economy; prodigally, extravagantly, thriftlessly.
1513. Wolsey, in Lett. & Papers War France (1897), 167. That ye wol not out of the havons, but lye ther spendyng wastefully the King’s vitaill and money.
1624. Donne, Serm., ii. (1640), 14. Never say, God hath given me these and these temporall things, and I have scattered them wastfully, surely he will give me no more.
1675. Dryden, Aurengz., III. (1676), 35. Fortune … to her new-made Favourite, Morat, Her lavish hand is wastefully profuse.
1879. Cassell’s Techn. Educ., II. 33/2. Formerly the workings were carried on with less system and more wastefully than now.
1885. Manch. Exam., 21 Oct., 5/6. The tin clippings are wastefully thrown into the river.
† 2. Destructively, ruinously. Obs. rare.
c. 1557. Abp. Parker, Ps. cii. 286. Ah God my God to wastefully Cut not my dayes by halfe away Where thy yeares last eternally.
1791. Mme. D’Arblay, Diary, July. Scarce any misfortune … can so wastefully desolate the very soul of my existence as a banishment … from those I love.
