stilly

[ adverb stil-lee; adjective stil-ee ]

adverb

1. quietly; silently.

adjective

1. Chiefly Literary. still; quiet.

stilly

adverb

1. archaic.
   quietly or calmly

adjective

1. poetic.
   still, quiet, or calm

Word History and Origins

Origin of stilly¹

before 1000; Middle English (adv.); Old English stillīce. See still ¹, -ly

Example Sentences

He would have said that she had scarcely thought of the child, so stilly had she gone about her work, day in and day out.

From Literature

It was as if nothing wrong could happen in a world where things balanced so stilly.

From Literature

The candle flames, rising up stilly on the night air, were reflected from the golden lioncels which studded the deep blue canopy of the bed.

From Literature

That has been a theme for me over the past year and a half, trying to power through under my own steam and realizing that that is stilly.

From Time

May halcyon-birds that hover o'er the brine     Diffuse abroad their own tranquillity, Till ocean stretches stilly as the wine     In this deep cup which now we drain to thee.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• calmly
• quietly