TAUTLY
tautly
(adverb) in a taut manner; “the rope was tautly stretched”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adverb
tautly (comparative more tautly, superlative most tautly)
In a taut manner, tightly, tensely.
The wire was held tautly, until it was so taut it broke; then there were two wires held slackly.
Source: Wiktionary
TAUT
Taut, a. Etym: [Dan. tæt; akin to E. tight. See Tight.]
1. (Naut.)
Definition: Tight; stretched; not slack; -- said esp. of a rope that is
tightly strained.
2. Sung; close; firm; secure. Taut hand (Naut.), a sailor's term for
an officer who is severe in discipline.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition