adv. [f. prec. + -LY2.]
1. In the way of supposition; by supposition; as is (or was) supposed.
1611. W. Sclater, Key (1629), 293. I … would not easily bee brought to diuulge my conceits supposedly true.
1629. Bp. Hall, Reconciler, 33. Little doe these men see the toyles, and anxieties that attend this supposedly pleasing eminence.
1651. Baxter, Inf. Bapt., Apol. 5. So that the Rebaptized husband would not pray with his (supposedly) unbaptized wife.
1717. Berkeley, Tour Italy, Wks. 1871, IV. 538. Beneventum … Cathedral … built supposedly on the foundation of an old temple.
1805. W. Taylor, in Ann. Rev., III. 544. This supposedly exemplary mother too was the educatress of Caligula.
1865. J. Grote, Moral Ideals (1876), 202. ‘Love your enemies’ (it being supposedly your friends that you do love).
1881. Br. Nicholson, in Athenæum, 25 June, 848/3. Nor is the supposedly parallel passage at all to the purpose.
1916. Times, 5 June, 8/3. Our three battle-cruisers had been blown up, supposedly as the result of gun-fire.
† 2. Feignedly, pretendedly. Obs.
1618. T. Gainsford, Hist. P. Warbeck, 33. By that time … she verily belieued he was the same she had supposedly contriued: & he quite forgot, that euer his first originall came out of the Dunghill.
