Obs. [f. CRAFT sb. + -LY2: cf. OHG. kraftlîcho, OS. craftlîco. See also craftely under CRAFTILY.] Craftily, skilfully, cunningly.
c. 1050. Suppl. Ælfric’s Voc., in Wr.-Wülcker, 178/40. Affabre, cræftlice uel smicere.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 2549. Bute if we craf[t]like hem for-don.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 3828. William … cumfort hem craftli with his kinde speche.
1432–50. trans. Higden (Rolls), I. 225. Þe ymage of Venus al naked … was so craftliche made þat [etc.].
1569. Sanford, Agrippa, xcvii. 169. Redier craftly to deceiue then plainely to trie out the truthe.
