goodly

Definition

Good; pleasing in appearance; attractive; comely; graceful; pleasant; desirable.

Etymology

From Middle English goodly, goodlich, gōdlich, from Old English gōdlīċ (“good, goodly”), from Proto-West Germanic *gōdalīk, from Proto-Germanic *gōdalīkaz (“good, goodly”); equivalent to good + -ly. Cognate with Dutch goedelijk, goelijk (“harmless, benign”), German gütlich (“friendly”), Icelandic góðlegur (“benign”).

Example Sentences

• "Her goodly thighs, whoſe glory did appear, / Like a triumphal Arch,[…]"
• "The diuell can cite Scripture for his purpoſe, / An euill ſoule producing holy witneſſe, / Is like a villaine with a ſmiling cheeke, / A goodly apple rotten at the heart. / O what a goodly outſide falſehood hath."
• "O Sin, thou knowest that all thy shame in her Was made a goodly thing."