a. and adv. [f. LOVER1 + -LY.] a. adj. Like a lover. b. adv. In the manner of a lover.

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1875.  J. Payn, Halves, xxii. II. 182. I only hushed her lips in loverly fashion.

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1886.  G. Macdonald, What’s Mine’s Mine, xli. III. 101. Said the chief abruptly, ‘I want only herself!’ A very loverly way of speaking.

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1887.  Stevenson, Misadv. J. Nicholson, ii. The highest point of loverly exaltation.

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1890.  Temple Bar, Nov., 441. He murmured loverly something about ‘the light … of her jacinth hair.’

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  Comb.  1885.  Stevenson, Pr. Otto, iii. 30. They made a loverly-looking couple.

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  Hence Loverliness.

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1879.  G. Meredith, Egoist, I. 154. He fluted away in loverliness, forgetful of Crossjay.

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