adv. Now rare. Forms: α. 4–5 worschip-, 5 worschyppe-, worsshep-, worshipp-, 5–6 worshyp- (5 warshyp-), 6 worshypp-, woorshipfully, etc.; 4 worchipfulli, worchepefulleke. β. 4 wurschyp-, 5 wurshepfully. γ. 4 wirship-, wirshep-, 4–5 wirschip-, 5 wirchip-, wyrschypfully. [f. prec. + -LY2.]
† 1. With due honor; with words, acts, or attentions, expressive of esteem or regard. Now arch.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 9897. Þat y þys wrþy sacrament mowe begynne, And wurschypfully þar-of to speke.
1357. Lay Folks’ Catech. (T.), 186. That we neuen noght his name but worshipfully.
1389. Eng. Gilds (1870), 57. Þan xal ilk a broþer … comyn and gon wit þe cors to cherche, worchepefulleke.
c. 1400. Love, Bonavent. Mirr. (1907), 248. Oure lady and hir sustres and Maudeleyn resceyued hem worschipfully with knelynge and lowe bowynge to the erthe.
1447. Bokenham, Seyntys, Marg., 872. Fro whens … they come to … a relygyous place … wher wurshepfully Austyn was receyuyd.
c. 1500. Melusine, i. 10. It is grett shame to me … that I ne doo you to be conueyed worshipfully thrugh my land.
1535. Coverdale, Ecclus. xlvii. 10. He ordeyned to kepe the holy daies worshipfully, and that the solempne feastes … shulde be honorably holden.
1579. Twyne, Phis. agst. Fortune, II. xliii. 219 b. Thou oughtest eyther to speake worshypfully of thy father, or els to holde thy peace.
1859. Tennyson, Elaine, 1319. It will be to thy worship, as my knight,… To see that she be buried worshipfully. Ibid. (1872), Gareth & L., 809.
† 2. In such a way as to confer honor or dignity, or to make a good appearance. Obs.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 12462. He schulde set hit most worschipfuly, ffor he wolde vrle his pane wyþal.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 5157. God has þe nouȝt for-gete … for worchipfulli artou wedded to welde a kinges sone.
c. 1400. Maundev. (Roxb.), vi. 20. He gers þam be keped honestly and wirschipfully,… Þan sall scho be … bawmed and wirschipfuly cledd.
1448. Hen. VI., Will, in Willis & Clark, Cambridge (1886), I. 378. To thentent that diuine seruice shal mowe be doon therin worshipfully vnto the honour of god.
a. 1450. Le Morte Arth., 1117. Worshippffully we shulle hyr lede In-to the palys and bery her so.
1535. Coverdale, Neh. iii. 20. After him buylded Baruc the sonne of Sabai the other pece worshipfully & costly.
1577. trans. Bullinger’s Decades (1592), 42. The wisedome of Salomon, is worshipfully thought of throughout the whole compasse of the world.
1606. Dekker, Seven Deadly Sins, Wks. (Grosart), II. 38. Worshipfully is this Lord of Limbo attended, for Knights themselues follow close at his heeles.
† 3. So as to obtain or deserve honor or praise; worthily. Obs. (or arch.)
1439. E. E. Wills (1882), 127. If she gouerne hir worshipfully.
1450–80. trans. Secreta Secret., iv. 8. If a kyng wolle regne worshipfully, it bihouyth him neyþer to haue … skarste ne fool large.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, IV. iv. 123. The thyrd … is wel to be one of the knyghtes of the round table … for many tymes he hath done ful worshipfully.
1485. Rolls of Parlt., VI. 336/1. Charges, which must be kept and borne Worshipfully and Honourably.
a. 1500. Bale’s Chron., in Six Town Chron. (1911), 141. They worshipfully ruled and governed.
a. 1529. Skelton, Col. Cloute, 914. To take on hande Worsshepfully to withstande Such temporall warre and bate.
1545. in Cal. St. Papers Irel., Pref. 6. The said Wyllame fowght stylle manly and worshipfully.
a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies, Berks (1662), 109. A family of his alliance is still worshipfully extant in this County.
1859. Tennyson, Elaine, 490. Then Sir Lavaine did well and worshipfully.
† 4. Ironically. Finely, properly. Obs.
1532. More, Confut. Tindale, III. Wks. 463/2. Is not this conclusion worshipfully deduced vpon scripture?
5. In a spirit of worship.
1886. Ruskin, Præterita, I. i. 39. Gleaning worshipfully what fragmentary illustrations of the history … of the family might fall from their lips.
