adv. Obs. Forms: α. 4 spedlic, -li, 4–5 -ly, 6 -lye, 7 speedly. β. 4 spedeliche, 4–6 -ly, 6 -lie, speadely, 6–7 speedely(e. [f. SPEED sb. Cf. OE. spédlíce successfully, effectually.] = SPEEDILY adv.
α. a. 1300. Cursor M., 19214. Spedli [Edinb. spedlic, Gött. spedeli] þai speld godds word.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 153. Þei … no wolen spedly lerne … þe gospel & goddis hestis.
c. 1400. Laud Troy Bk., 9621. The ffloures sprede & spedly sprynge.
1482. Monk of Evesham, xxviii. (Arb.), 69. She … hastyd her spedly gretly profeting on the iorney that goyth to paradyse.
1530. Cromwell, in Merriman, Life & Lett. (1902), I. 334. Beseching your grace spedlye to send hym home.
1618. Bolton, Florus, III. xxi. (1636), 246. The army of Norbanus was quickly overthrowne and all Scipio’s forces … speedly oppressed.
β. 13[?]. [see α].
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), III. 199. Þe ȝongelynge dede spedeliche his dedes.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 10942. Two spurres full spedely [she] spent on his helis.
c. 1440. Jacob’s Well, 208. It castyth noȝt oute spedely þe wose of synne fro þe pytt of lustys.
1512. Act 4 Hen. VIII., c. 18. Preamb., For the accomptes of the same more spedelie to be taken.
1588. R. Parke, trans. Mendoza’s Hist. China, 38. For that it should be speedelier doone.
1618. in Foster, Eng. Factories Ind. (1906), I. 17. You must speedelye looke to this maggat.
