adv. [f. prec. + -LY2.]
I. objectively: With communication of fear.
1. So as to cause fear; dreadfully; terribly.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 245 b. The … impenitent synners … be … drawen downe to hell moost terribly or feerfully.
1586. Cogan, Haven Health, ccxli. (1636), 272. That hee bee not waked sodainely and fearefully, but with good moderation.
1605. Shaks., Lear, IV. i. 77.
| Glo. There is a Cliffe, whose high and bending head | |
| Lookes fearfully in the confined Deepe. |
1641. Hinde, J. Bruen, xlvi. 148. Presently the revenging hand of God was upon him; so that this wicked fellow fell so sick, that he was carried home in a Cart, and within three dayes died most fearefully.
1821. Shelley, Adonais, lv.
| I am borne darkly, fearfully, afar; | |
| Whilst burning through the inmost veil of Heaven, | |
| The soul of Adonais, like a star, | |
| Beacons from the abode where the Eternal are. |
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, xxv. I was yesterday fearfully undeceived.
2. To a fearful extent or degree. Often hyperbolically as a mere intensive: cf. FEARFUL 2.
1838. Dickens, Nich. Nick., ii. On a summer’s night, windows are thrown open, and groups of swarthy mustachio’d men are seen by the passer-by lounging at the casements, and smoking fearfully.
1862. Sir B. Brodie, Psychol. Inq., II. iii. 95. The evils arising from the use of alcohol have been fearfully aggravated by the invention of distillation.
1878. Smiles, Robt. Dick, vii. 76. It was fearfully warm.
1878. Mrs. H. Wood, Pomeroy Ab., I. 25. Dinner, Cannet? That’s right: I am fearfully hungry.
II. subjectively. With a feeling of fear.
3. In a manner indicating fear; timidly, in fear.
1548. Udall, etc., Erasm. Par. Matt. iii. 7. They demaunde of him fearfully what he thinketh best for them to do.
1602. Marston, Antonio’s Rev., V. iii. Wks. 1856, I. 135.
| That as I walkt | |
| Muffled, to eves-drop speech, I might observe | |
| The graver statesmen whispering fearefully. |
1658. Cleveland, Rustic Rampant, Wks. (1687), 501. The Abbot, recalls his Esquires, lets the Prosecution fall, and fearfully summons in his Friends to guard him.
1730. Wesley, Wks. (1830), I. 8. Walk as prudently as you can, though not fearfully.
1832. Marryat, N. Forster, xix. A black head was seen to rise slowly and fearfully out of the fore-scuttle, then it disappeared.
† 4. a. In a state of apprehension or uneasiness; anxiously. b. Cautiously, with hesitation. Obs.
1586. A. Day, The English Secretary, II. (1625), 28. This pure living (once in manner lost, afterwards recovered and yet stil fearefully kept).
1598. Barret, Theor. Warres, V. i. 147. Whosoeuer shall flie from the Battell, being there ranked and placed, or march slow or fearefully, being vpon point to fight; or shew any other base cowardise in what bad sort soeuer.
c. 1610. Sir J. Melvil, Mem. (1683), 17–8. The Spaniards, who were within the Wood; who had so great advantage, being covered with Bushes and Trees, that they compelled our Foot to retire fearfully.
1727. Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Hunt, His old Hounds … will hunt leisurely and fearfully.
