adv. [f. prec. + -LY2.] In an exceeding manner or degree.
† 1. Of manner: So as to surpass others. Obs.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, II. 30. Excedandlye he wald lyft mekill mar Than ony twa that thai amang thaim fand.
2. Of degree: Above measure, extremely:
a. with verbs; formerly in extensive use, now chiefly limited to those that indicate emotion, feeling, or the expression of them.
1535. Coverdale, Ps. civ. [cv.] 24. He increased his people exceadingly.
1591. Spenser, Vis. World’s Van., viii. A gilden towre which shone exceedinglie.
1615. Latham, Falconry (1633), 124. The wormwood exceedingly shred with a sharp knife.
1665. Boyle, Occas. Refl., IV. xiii. (1675), 255. The choice of ones Company does exceedingly discover whether a Man be Good, or Bad.
1678. Wanley, Wond. Lit. World, V. i. § 93. 467/2. He travelled exceedingly for establishing the Peace of Christendom.
1797. Burke, Corr., IV. 420. I approve his plan exceedingly.
1841. Lane, Arab. Nts., I. 53. I praised God … and rejoiced exceedingly.
a. 1845. Hood, Ode to Miss Kelly, ii. I like exceedingly your Parthian dame.
b. with adjs. and advbs. Now only with the positive deg.; formerly occas. prefixed to more, too.
1535. Coverdale, Jonah i. 10. Then were ye men exceadingly afrayed.
1588. Shaks., L. L. L., III. i. 145. O my good knaue Costard, exceedingly well met.
1660. Bp. Hall’s Rem. Wks., A ij. That account … of the Life of the Reverend Author … is exceedingly too short.
a. 1677. Barrow, Serm. (1741), I. i. 2. Exceedingly many needless incumbrances.
1704. Newton, Opticks, III. (1721), 324. Is not this medium exceedingly more rare and subtile than the Air…?
1772. Priestley, Inst. Relig. (1782), I. 83. The sole pursuit of sensual pleasure is exceedingly injurious.
1847. G. P. R. James, Convict, ii. She seems to me to be exceedingly pretty.
1881. Med. Temp. Jrnl., No. 49. 21. This he found to answer exceedingly well.
