Evilly

adv. [f. EVIL a. + -LY².] In an evil manner.

  1.  Viciously, wickedly, censurably.

  a.  1580.  Apol. Pr. Orange, in Phenix (1721), I. 501. Who have … very evilly, and without any cause, withdrawn themselues from us.

1603.  Knolles, Hist. Turkes (1638), 96. They haue euilly prosecuted that their pretended right and title.

1624.  Quarles, Job (1717), 197. His plenty … evilly come … shall soon pass away.

1730–6.  Bailey (folio), Evilly, in a bad manner.

1863.  J. C. Morison, St. Bernard, III. iii. 331. No knowledge or power is evil, however evilly it may be employed.

1871.  Alabaster, Wheel of Law, p. xxxvi. He has lived evilly in previous generations.

  2.  With evil purpose or result; injuriously; maliciously, mischievously; noxiously.

1631.  Gouge, God’s Arrows, I. § 20. 27. Who more … evilly entreated and persecuted in the world.

1655.  Fuller, Ch. Hist., IV. ii. § 14. Others, who publish … evilly and falsly … that Richard late King of England … is still alive.

1670.  Cotton, Espernon, II. VII. 320. She would … make known whoever should be so evilly affected.

1677.  Lond. Gaz., No. 1239/4. A Spanish Man of War … commanded the Masters on board, very evilly intreated them.

1845.  R. Chambers, Vest. Creat., Mental Const. Anim. (ed. 4), 362. The production of those evilly disposed beings is in this manner.

1872.  Howells, Wedd. Journ., 81. The hot, greasy biscuit, steaming evilly up into the face.

1873.  ‘Ouida,’ Pascarèl, I. 35. They eyed me askance very evilly and munched their chocolate chicchi.

1875.  Farrar, Seekers, II. iii. 215. Two or three evilly-squalling brats.

1879.  Premature Death, 62. It [privation] tells evilly on the health-condition of large sections of the population.

  3.  Unfavorably.

1668.  Howe, Bless. Righteous (1825), 260. Not to desire heaven … is so evilly thought of, that [etc.].

1823.  Lamb, Let. B. Barton, in Life & Lett., xii. 119. And let ’em talk as evilly as they do of the envy of poets.

1864.  Dk. Manchester, Court & Soc. Eliz. to Anne, II. 160. This latter, evilly celebrated in his day, was Ferdinando, Marquis de Paleotti.

1883.  Daily News, 20 June, 5/6. The evilly-reputed spot—the guet-apens where we were all to be massacred.

  4.  Not well, badly: † a. Faultily, insufficiently, defectively (obs.). b. Unhappily.

1587.  Fleming, Contn. Holinshed, III. 1278/2. Robert Baldocke … a man evillie beloved.

1590.  Disc. Sp. Invas., in Harl. Misc. (Malh.), II. 162. The which embassage … made the gentleman to be evilly entertained by our men.

1655.  Digges, Compl. Ambass., 121. How evilly they rest satisfied … is well known.

1683.  Salmon, Doron Med., III. 643. Restores the whole Skin (though evilly framed as to its Pores) making it well coloured.

1845.  J. H. Newman, Ess. Developm., 223. Superstitious men fare most wretchedly and evilly.

  † 5.  With difficulty; reluctantly, impatiently.

1595.  Shaks., John, III. iv. 149. This Act so euilly borne shall coole the hearts Of all his people.

1630.  R. Johnson’s Kingd. & Commw., 234. The Provinces of Aragon also … doe evilly brooke this government.

  † 6.  Incorrectly, inappropriately, improperly.

c. 1555.  Harpsfield, Divorce Hen. VIII. (1878), 293. How well and godly he … preached … though the place were very evily applied.

1607.  Topsell, Serpents (1658), 803. These words of Arstotle, evilly understood by Pliny and other ancient Writers.

1607.  Shaks., Timon, IV. iii. 468. Oh Monument And wonder of good deeds, euilly bestow’d!

1677.  Gale, Crt. Gentiles, II. IV. 112. Natural libertie in it self good but evilly applied.