adv. Obs. [f. CONFUSE a. + -LY2: cf. F. confusément.] In a ‘confuse’ manner.
1. Confusedly, indistinctly, obscurely.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 185. In this lyfe we se and knowe god but confusely or derkly, as it were by a glasse.
1530. Palsgr., 2. They be sounded either distinctly or … confusely.
1692. South, Serm. (1697), I. 361. The Retrieving of a thing at present forgot, or but confusely remembered.
1737. Waterland, Eucharist, 53. He taught more confusely, what others after Him improved, and cleared.
2. In an intermixed way, without distinction of elements, promiscuously. Cf. CONFUSEDLY 2 b.
c. 1534. trans. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist. (Camd. Soc.), I. 4. The entercourse … which they [common people] have with the nobilitie, confuselie dwellinge emonge them.
1558. Warde, trans. Alexis’ Secr. (1568), 46 b. Take freshe floures of Rosemary two pound, Amber a scruple … all confusely together.
1578. Cooper, Thesaurus, Introd. This diversity … I have not onely noted togyther confusely in the first exposition of the worde, but afterwarde dystinctlye each by itself.
3. Confusedly, in a disorderly manner.
1545. T. Raynold, Byrth Mankynde, 110. [To] bynd euery part ryght … and not crokedly and confusely.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, III. lviii. 398. Doder … confusely winding it selfe about hedges and bushes.
1598. Grenewey, Tacitus’ Ann., I. viii. (1622), 15. [Germanicus] perceiuing them confusely shuffled together.
