adv. [f. prec. + -LY2; cf. OE. ęʓesfullíc.] In an awful manner.
I. objectively: With communication of awe.
1. So as to cause terror; terribly, dreadfully.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, IV. 321. Than lukit he awfully thame to.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot., III. 51. Richart … aufullie syne enterit in the toun, With greit distructioun baith in fyre and blude.
1687. Dryden, Hind & P., I. 304. The Lyon awfully forbids the prey.
a. 1839. Praed, Red Fisherm. Awfully were his features wrought By some dark dream.
2. So as to command reverence, or impress the imagination; sublimely, majestically.
a. 1300. E. E. Psalter cxxxix. 14. Mikled ertou aghfulli.
1727. Thomson, Summer, 187. Who, Light himself!… dwells awfully retired From mortal eye.
1858. Hawthorne, Fr. & It. Jrnls., I. 198. However awfully holy the subject.
3. slang, as simple intensive: Very, exceedingly, extremely. [Cf. Gr. δεινῶς awfully, exceedingly.]
[1830. Gen. P. Thompson, Exerc. (1842), I. 238. He will have made an awfully bad choice if he comes to be sentenced to be hanged.]
1859. Lang, Wand. India, 154. In the way of money-making … he is awfully clever.
1878. Black, Green Past., ii. 15. You’ll be awfully glad to get rid of me.
Mod. It was awfully jolly!
II. subjectively: With a feeling of awe; with fear, timidly; with reverential fear, reverently. arch.
1583. Golding, Calvin on Deut. viii. 43. To walke so much the more awefully when God hath shewed himselfe so bountiful.
1665. Dryden, To Duchess of York, 18. The waves in ranks were cast, As awfully as when God’s people pass’d.
1725. Pope, Odyss., XXIV. 126. And tim’rous pass’d, and awfully withdrew.
1790. Burke, Fr. Rev., 138. Awefully impressed with an idea that they act in trust.
[1820. Keats, Isabel, vi. His heart beat awfully against his side.]
