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