mightly

mightly

English

Etymology 1

From Middle English mightly, from Old English mihtlīċ (“possible, able, capable”), equivalent to might +‎ -ly. Cognate with Swedish maktlig (“powerful”).

Pronunciation

• enPR: mīt li, IPA^(key): /ˈmaɪt li/

Adjective

mightly (comparative more mightly, superlative most mightly)

1. Mighty; competent; capable; strong; powerful.
   • 2008, Douglas Menville, Forgotten Fantasy:

     "We must strike a mightly blow as soon as possible for the sake of Lyone, our queen. Once break the power of the king, and he will be glad to sue for peace by liberating our adored idol, the pride of Atvatabar."

2. Substantial; weighty; of import.
   • 1828, Welland Canal Company, The Welland Canal Company:

     In touching upon these mightly results, which must attend, or soon follow, the completion of Welland Canal, [...]

   • 1983, Elizabeth K. Helsinger, THE WOMAN QUESTION Social Issues, 1837-1883:

     Mightly indeed must be the Titanic current of that soul which could receive one whole human, full of thoughts, affections, and emotions, into its tide and yet remain uncoloured and unchanged.

3. Able; able to occur; possible.

Etymology 2

From Middle English myghtely, myȝtly, from Old English mihtlīċe, equivalent to might +‎ -ly.

Adverb

mightly (comparative more mightly, superlative most mightly)

1. Mightily.
2. Very.
   • 1904, John Ames Mitchell, The villa Claudia:

     "[...] Must have been mightly well corked." "With every possible care, probably. [...]"

   • 1922, American Hospital Association, Transactions:

     We need the best material possible, and I believe we have some mightly good material at the present time.