adv. Forms: 6 charely, -lye, charilie, -lye, charyly, 6– charily. [f. CHARY + -LY2.] In a chary manner; carefully; cautiously; warily, circumspectly; with preserving or saving care; sparingly.

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1579.  Tomson, Calvin’s Serm. Tim., 1001/1. Let vs beware wee alwayes walke charily.

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1582.  Breton, Comparison, in Heliconia (1815), I. 118. So charyly keep a faithfull friend.

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1583.  Stanyhurst, Æneis, III. (Arb.), 72. This Polydor … Too King Treicius was sent, to be charelye noozeld.

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1601.  Holland, Pliny, II. 603. Many broken pieces of one cup which he caused to be gathered together full charily.

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1640.  Brome, Sparagus Gard., IV. vi. Wks. 1873, III. 188. Set mee charily in my sickly chaire.

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1692.  trans. Sallust, 126. Thy life was robb’d untimely from Thee, and by him whom it behov’d most charily to have preserv’d it.

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1799.  Southey, Eng. Eclogues, vii. There’s not a testy Squire preserves his game More charily than I.

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Mod.  One must walk charily there. A man who gives charily to any benevolent object.

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