[f. after prec. with -LY2. Cf. OHG. werltlîchi.] In a worldly manner; with a worldly intent or disposition: freq. qualifying an adj. used attrib. (and hyphened). See also next.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 234. Alle þe haluwen weren worldliche itented.
1340–70. Alex. & Dind., 427. We ben busy of no swink nor no burn maken For to wirchen our wil & wordliche serue.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. II. 151. Here is þe world taken for men þat lyven worldli.
1390. Gower, Conf., III. 162. It were als litel nede or lasse, That thou so worldly wolt compasse With flaterie forto serve.
c. 1400. Apol. Loll., 104. Þei lifen worldly, & hidun þer vicis wiþ a veyn hiȝt of better lif.
c. 1485. Wisdom, 405. Her is a man that levith wardly.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 20. Worldly lyuynge chrysten people.
1534. More, Comf. agst. Trib., III. P j b. Those worldly disposed people.
1667. Milton, P. L., XII. 568. By things deemed weak Subverting worldly strong, and worldly wise By simply meek.
1700. Dryden, Wife of Bath’s Tale, 493. Since I see your Mind is Worldly bent.
1883. H. Drummond, Nat. Law in Spir. W. (ed. 2), 197. [A] lowering of religious tone to the level of the worldly-religious world around.
1884. J. Tait, Mind in Matter (1892), 332. They embrace and sanctify every form of worldly-personal consequence.
1896. Black, Briseis, xvii. Worldly-pious waverings.
