adv. [f. EARNEST a. + -LY2.] In an earnest manner; in a manner indicating earnestness. (In OE.: In truth, in reality; also in the Gospels transl. ergo, itaque, Vulg.)
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Matt. xx. 9. Eornostlice þa ðæ ʓecomon þa embe þa endlyften tide comon, þa onfengon hig ælc hys pening.
a. 1000. Laws of Cnut (Eccl.), xv. Sunnan-dæʓes cypingce we forbeodaþ eac eornostlice.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 26932. Þi scrift agh to be mad hernestly, noght als intent o waynglori.
c. 1325. E. E. Allit. P., B. 1240. He enteres in ful ernestly, in yre of his hert.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 6490. Carion … full ernestly with Ector auntrid to fight.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 142. Ernestly, seriose.
1535. Coverdale, Tobias ix. 3. Now seist thou how earnestly Raguel hath requyred me.
1544. Bale, Chron. Sir J. Oldcastell, in Harl. Misc. (Malh.), I. 265. Than loked the Lord Cobham ærnestly vpon the archbishopp.
1552. Abp. Hamilton, Catech. (1884), 3. He so ernestly maid supplicatioun to thame.
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., IV. i. 121. Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly?
1609. Bible (Douay), Zech. xii. comm., The other Jewes most earnestly persecuted Christians.
1712. Addison, Spect., No. 89, ¶ 3. Reflexions which I earnestly recommend to the Thoughts of my fair Readers.
1849. Ruskin, Sev. Lamps, iv. § 33. 123. The most earnestly imitative treatment.
1855. Prescott, Philip II., i. (1857), 8. He had … endeavoured earnestly to do his duty to the best of his abilities.
1863. Fr. A. Kemble, Resid. in Georgia, 55. A beautiful pair of chickens, which he offered most earnestly to S——.
1871. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), IV. xx. 155. We know enough of Hereward to make us earnestly long to know more.
