adv. [f. TOUCHY + -LY2.] In a touchy manner; irritably, testily; † saucily.

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1653.  Waterhouse, Apol. Learn., 251. The King answered only, Say what I can do acceptable to the Athenians; the Varlet Democrates replyed touchily, Nothing better then to hang thy selfe.

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1844.  Wardlaw, Prov., II. xxxix. 47. The hasty spirit … startles touchily at every word.

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1853.  Visc. Maidstone, Deluge, 26.

            Next comes the ‘Chronicle,’ diffuse, perplex’d,
Touchily classical, and lightly vex’d.

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1888.  Mrs. H. Ward, R. Elsmere, xlv. Rose … had grown so touchily sensitive.

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