Obs. Also 1 léoflíce, 2–3 leofliche, 3 lefliche, (Orm. lefliȝ), levelike, 4 leoflyche. [OE. léoflíce OHG. liublîhho (MHG. liepliche, mod.G. lieblich), ON. liúflega: see LIEF a. and -LY2.] Beautifully; dearly, kindly; willingly, gladly.
c. 900. trans. Bæda’s Hist., IV. xxv. (1890), 350. Þeah þe ic sceole ealle wican fæstan, ic þæt leoflice do.
a. 1175. Cott. Hom., 257. Ich iseo a sonde cumen, swide gledd icheret, feier ant freolich, and leofliche aturnet.
c. 1200. Ormin, 4950. Lefliȝ to þeowwtenn oþre menn.
c. 1205. Lay., 17747. Gingiuere & licoriz he hom lefliche ȝef.
a. 1225. Leg. Kath., 2223. And at þes lefdis licome leofliche smirede.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 3434. Ðis red ðhuȝte moyses ful god, And leuelike it under-stod.
c. 1275. On Serving Christ, 59, in O. E. Misc., 92. For he wolde þe lawe leoflyche holde.
[1888. Sat. Rev., 14 Jan., 55/2. But if Mr. Max Müller will suggest any other word, we will as liefly use it.]
