hooly

or hu·ly

[ hoo-lee, hy-lee ]

adjective

1. cautious; gentle.

adverb

1. cautiously; gently.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hooly¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English holy, hulie, hully; apparently of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse hōfligr “moderate,” hōfliga “moderately”

Example Sentences

Hooly guacamole it was the greatest experience and my heart was so hiiiigh !!

From BBC

Ride hooly, hooly, gentlemen, Ride hooly now wi' me!

From Project Gutenberg

Deal hooly wi' my head, maidens, Deal hooly wi' my hair,70 For it was washen late yestreen, And it is wonder sair.

From Project Gutenberg

In most parts of Rajpootana, this male image exists at every city and village gate, but it is not rendered conspicuously indecent until the hooly or harvest enjoyments; and low and degrading as these are, reminding us of our purely animal frame, yet no Hindoo practices of harvest times are so gross as I have seen practised at the harvest homes or midnight revelries of our own country.”

From Project Gutenberg

St. Martha pray for us! all ye hooly vargins and widders, pray for us lone women!

From Project Gutenberg