deathly
English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]From Middle English dethlich, from Old English dēaþlīċ, equivalent to death + -ly.
Pronunciation
[edit]Adjective
[edit]deathly (comparative deathlier or more deathly, superlative deathliest or most deathly)
- Appearing as though dead, or on the verge of death.
- He has a deathly pallor.
- 1816 June – 1817 April/May (date written), [Mary Shelley], chapter VI, in Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. […], volume III, London: […] [Macdonald and Son] for Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones, published 1 January 1818, →OCLC, page 120:
- I rushed towards her, and embraced her with ardour; but the deathly languor and coldness of the limbs told me, that what I now held in my arms had ceased to be the Elizabeth whom I had loved and cherished.
- Deadly, fatal, causing death.
- Extreme.
- He has a deathly fear of crocodiles.
Derived terms
[edit]Translations
[edit]appearing as though dead
fatal, causing death
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extreme
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Adverb
[edit]deathly (comparative more deathly, superlative most deathly)
- In a way that resembles death.
- He was deathly pale.
- Extremely, dreadfully.
- The water was deathly cold.
- He was deathly afraid of crocodiles.
Categories:
- English terms inherited from Middle English
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms inherited from Old English
- English terms derived from Old English
- English terms suffixed with -ly
- English 2-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- English lemmas
- English adjectives
- English terms with usage examples
- English terms with quotations
- English adverbs
- en:Death