Exquisitely

adv. [f. prec. + -LY².] In an exquisite manner or degree.

  † 1.  With delicate accuracy, exactly; carefully, minutely, thoroughly. Obs.

1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 163. That he … pronounce every lettre … curyously & exquisytly.

1599.  A. M., trans. Gabelhouer’s Bk. Physicke, 23/1. Pionye kernelles,… exquisitelye pouldrede.

1647.  Lilly, Chr. Astrol., xliv. 270. If the certaine hour … cannot exquisitely be knowne.

1658.  Evelyn, Fr. Gard. (1675), 276. Reserve them in great round boxes exquisitely shut.

1759.  J. Mills, trans. Duhamel’s Husb., I. ix. 53. Till the whole mass is exquisitely mingled.

  2.  In a highly finished manner; with perfection of detail; elaborately, beautifully, excellently. Now with emotional sense (cf. EXQUISITE 5): With such delicate beauty or subtle perfection as to excite intense pleasure or admiration.

1535.  Joye, Apol. Tindale, 29. He hath so exquysitly translated the testament.

1593.  Rites & Mon. Ch. Durh. (Surtees), 43. The picture of Bushop Cedda … with … his crosier staffe in his lefte hand exquisitelie shewed.

a. 1639.  Wotton, Life Dk. Buckhm. (1642), 16. A Collection of certain rare Manuscripts, exquisitly written in Arabique.

1791.  Cowper, Iliad, XVI. 272. A goblet exquisitely wrought.

1871.  H. Ainsworth, Tower Hill, I. xv. The tender melancholy was exquisitely expressed by her voice and looks.

1877.  Lady Brassey, Voy. in ‘Sunbeam,’ ix. (1878), 145. A vast chain of exquisitely tinted snow-peaks.

  3.  In the highest degree; exceedingly. Now with emotional sense; cf. 2 and EXQUISITE 3 c, 4.

1603.  Florio, Montaigne, I. xxv. (1632), 84. Exquisitely readie and skilfull in the Latine.

1647.  Ward, Simp. Cobler (ed. 3), 32–3. When the coards of a State are exquisitely tight.

1683.  Kennett, trans. Erasmus’ Moriæ Enc., 92. They are exquisitely dexterous in unfolding the most intricate Mysteries.

1712.  Steele, Spect., No. 497, ¶ 3. This fellow, in a dress the most exquisitely ridiculous.

1746.  Hervey, Medit. (1818), I. 151. As exquisitely fine as the rainbow.

1794.  G. Adams, Nat. & Exp. Philos., II. xv. 139. Exquisitely minute they must be.

1838.  Dickens, Nich. Nick., xxix. There was something so exquisitely absurd in such a cartel of defiance.

1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., IV. 369. Humour of the most austere flavour, yet exquisitely delicious.

1882.  E. O’Donovan, Merv Oasis, I. i. 22. The roads were in such exquisitely bad condition.

  4.  With reference to perception or sensation: † a. With nicety or delicacy (obs.)

1626.  Bacon, Sylva, § 868. We see more exquisitely with One Eye Shut than with Both Open.

1684.  R. H., School Recreat., 24. It [the otter] is a very sagacious and exquisitely smelling Creature.

1748.  Hartley, Observ. Man, I. ii. 116. It is customary, in endeavouring to feel exquisitely, to rub the Ends of the Fingers against the tangible Object.

  b.  In an exquisite degree; intensely, acutely, keenly.

1678.  Cudworth, Intell. Syst., 891. Should therefore a Son not only murder his own Parents,… but also Exquisitely torture them.

1737.  Whiston, Josephus’ Antiq., Diss. i. These he punished exquisitely.

1802.  Med. Jrnl., VIII. 431. A swelling … becoming exquisitely painful.

1851.  Helps, Friends in C., I. 14. To see ten human beings … making each other exquisitely uncomfortable.

1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., III. 284. That no cause of jealousy might be given to a people exquisitely sensitive on points of national honour.