Constantly

adv. [f. CONSTANT a. + -LY².] In a constant manner.

  1.  With mental constancy or steadfastness; steadfastly, steadily, resolutely; with loyal attachment, faithfully. Obs. or arch.

1534.  Whitinton, Tullyes Offices, III. (1540), 115. Preceptes of lyuynge constauntlye and honestely.

1597.  Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. lxv. § 11. To bear undeserved reproach constantly is the … duty of men professing Christianity.

1621.  Lady M. Wroth, Urania, 384. She … concluded … that one woman might loue two men lawfully, and constantlier then one.

1678.  Yng. Man’s Call., 278. He … afterwards constantly suffered martyrdom for the sake of Jesus Christ.

a. 1803.  Ballad ‘Young Benjie,’ ii., in Child, Ball., IV. (1886), 282/1. And wow! but they were lovers dear, And loved fu constantlie.

  † b.  With assurance or certitude; confidently, firmly, assuredly. Obs.

1538.  Starkey, England, I. i. 11. The Iue constantly wyl affyrme hys law to be above al other.

1597.  Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. lxxxi. We constantly hold that in this case the Apostles Law is not broken.

1603.  Shaks., Meas. for M., IV. i. 21. I doe constantly beleeue you.

1611.  Bible, Acts xii. 15. But she constantly affirmed that it was euen so.

1627.  Hakewill, Apol. (1630), 223. That I constantly beleeue can never be proved.

1632.  W. Lithgow, Trav., V. (1682), 212. To whom I constantly answered, I did not believe it.

  2.  Invariably, uniformly, regularly, in every case, always.

1651.  Hobbes, Leviath., II. xxvii. 158. The same Fact, if it have been constantly punished in other men, is a greater Crime, than if there have been many precedent Examples of impunity.

a. 1661.  Fuller, Worthies (1840), II. 453. He constantly had prayers said in his own house.

1747.  Wesley, Prim. Physic (1762), p. xx. They ought constantly to go to Bed about Nine.

1776.  Adam Smith, W. N., I. I. iii. 21. In our American colonies the plantations have constantly followed the sea-coast.

  3.  Continually, perpetually, incessantly, always.

1682.  Norris, Hierocles, 2. Constantly intent upon his goodness.

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 96, ¶ 2. Being constantly about him.

1807.  G. Chalmers, Caledonia, I. III. vii. 405. Injuries constantly rankling at her heart.

1880.  Geikie, Phys. Geog., ii. § 8. 55. The quantity of vapour in the atmosphere is constantly varying from day to day.

  † b.  Continuously, permanently, for a permanence.

1567.  Triall Treas. (1850), 44. Whereas Lust and Treasure in time is come to nought, Just, possessing Trust, remayneth constantly.

1601.  Shaks., Twel. N., II. iii. 160. The diu’ll a Puritane that hee is, or any thing constantly but a time-pleaser.