1. Easy, not difficult.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Matt. xix. 26. Ealle þing synt mid Gode eaðelice [c. 1160 Hatton aðelice].
c. 1160. Hatton Gosp., Matt. xix. 24. Æþelicor beoð þam olfende to ganne þurh nædle eaȝe.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 135. Of ane eðeliche dede.
2. Inconsiderable, slight, trifling. Often in antithesis to eche (= eternal): Of short duration.
c. 890. K. Ælfred, Bæda, II. v. (Bosw.). Gif ðu ne wilt us ʓeþafian in swa æðelicum þingo.
c. 1176. Cott. Hom., 221. Mid þare aeðelice hyrsumnesse þu ȝearnest hefen rices merhðe.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 282. On eðelich stiche, oðer on eðelich eche makeð uorte understonden hwu lutel wurð is prude.
3. a. Of a person: Low in station; mean in character. b. Of a thing: Of small value.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 35. Ne was þe engel isend ne to kinge … ac to loȝe and eðeliche men alse heordes buð.
a. 1300. Floriz & Bl., 274. Abute þe orchard is a wal; Þe eþelikeste ston is cristal.
B. adv. Easily, without difficulty.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Luke xviii. 25. Eaðelicor mæʓ se olfend gan þurh are nædle eaʓe.
c. 1200. Ormin, 12532. Soþ Godd … mihhte standenn æþeliȝ ȝæn himm.
1513–75. Diurn. Occurr. (1833), 249. His lyik eithlie culd not heirtofoir be fundin.
1737. Ramsay, Scot. Prov., Ded. You may eithly make yoursells master of the hale ware.
1813. Hogg, Queen’s Wake, 73. The rein-deir dun can eithly run, Quhan the houndis and the hornis pursue.
1872. Blackie, Lays Highl., 71.
| This only lore my beggar wit | |
| Could eathly understand, | |
| That mighty men had lived of of yore, | |
| And died in Orkney land. |
b. At an easy price, cheaply.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 290. Ne sule þu neuer so eðeliche … his deorewurðe spuse.
