adv. Also 6 sutetably, 7 sutably. [f. SUITABLE a. + -LY2.]
† 1. Chiefly const. to: In agreement, conformity or correspondence; agreeably, correspondingly, according. Obs.
1577. Stanyhurst, Descr. Irel., 1/2, in Holinshed. My course pack threede coulde not haue beene sutetably knit with his fine silcke.
1654. R. Whitlock, Ζωοτομια, 9. In Life Hee is a true Actor … that lives his part Sutably, to strut in Rags, or Crawle in Robes, equally transgresse Decorum.
1686. Horneck, Crucif. Jesus, xxiii. 785. They should perform the task suitably to their leisure.
1729. Butler, Serm., Wks. 1874, II. Pref. 14. Brutes … act suitably to their whole nature.
1749. Power, Numbers in Poet. Compos., 52, note. Diversifying the Harmony of the Numbers, by a judicious Mixture of them, suitably to the Nature of the Subject.
2. In a suitable or fitting manner; appropriately, fitly.
1681. S. Fell in Jrnl. Friends’ Hist. Soc. (1912), July, 136. Words will rise most suitably to answer the matter in hand.
1709. Steele, Tatler, No. 4, ¶ 2. These different Perfections are suitably represented by the last great Painter Italy has sent us.
1770. Boston Gaz., 26 Nov., 3/1. These … may suitably employ our minds at the approaching solemnity.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, v. Never was kiss so well bestowed, and meet it is that it should be suitably returned.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), V. 241. Every melody is right when suitably accompanied.
