PRETTILY
prettily
(adverb) in a pretty manner; “all this is most prettily done”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adverb
prettily (comparative more prettily, superlative most prettily)
In a pretty manner.
Very badly; terribly.
Source: Wiktionary
Pret"ti*ly, adv.
Definition: In a pretty manner.
PRETTY
Pret"ty, a. [Compar. Prettier; superl. Prettiest.] Etym: [OE. prati, AS. prættig, prætig, crafty, sly, akin to præt, prætt, deceit, trickery, Icel. prettugr tricky, prettr a trick; probably fr. Latin, perhaps through Celtic; cf. W. praith act, deed, practice, LL. practica execution, practice, plot. See Practice.]
1. Pleasing by delicacy or grace; attracting, but not striking or impressing; of a pleasing and attractive form a color; having slight or diminutive beauty; neat or elegant without elevation or grandeur; pleasingly, but not grandly, conceived or expressed; as, a pretty face; a pretty flower; a pretty poem. This is the prettiest lowborn lass that ever Ran on the greensward. Shak.
2. Moderately large; considerable; as, he had saved a pretty fortune. "Wavering a pretty while." Evelyn.
3. Affectedly nice; foppish; -- used in an ill sense. The pretty gentleman is the most complaisant in the world. Spectator.
4. Mean; despicable; contemptible; -- used ironically; as, a pretty trick; a pretty fellow.
5. Stout; strong and brave; intrepid; valiant. [Scot.] [He] observed they were pretty men, meaning not handsome. Sir W. Scott.
Syn.
– Elegant; neat; fine. See Handsome.
Pret"ty, adv.
Definition: In some degree; moderately; considerably; rather; almost; -- less emphatic than very; as, I am pretty sure of the fact; pretty cold weather. Pretty plainly professes himself a sincere Christian. Atterbury.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
22 April 2025
BRIGHT
(adjective) made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow; “bright silver candlesticks”; “a burnished brass knocker”; “she brushed her hair until it fell in lustrous auburn waves”; “rows of shining glasses”; “shiny black patents”
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