mightily

Definition

In a mighty manner.

Etymology

From Middle English mightili (“with might, powerfully, strongly; forcefully, violently; greatly; etc.”), from Old English meahtiglice (“with might, powerfully, mightily”), from meahtiġ, mihtiġ (“powerful, mighty”) + -līċe (suffix forming adverbs). Mihtiġ is derived from Proto-Germanic *mahtīgaz (“mighty”), from *mahtiz (“force, strength; ability, power”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *megʰ- (“to be able”)) + *-gaz (suffix with the sense ‘being; doing; having’ forming adjectives). By surface analysis, mighty + -ly (suffix forming adverbs).

Example Sentences

• "The chivalrous knights entered the lists and fought mightily."
• "So cry Hand & Hyle the eldest of the fathers of Albions / Little-ones; to destroy the Divine Saviour: the Friend of Sinners. / Building Castles in desolated places, and strong Fortifications. / Soon Hand mightily devour'd & absorb'd Albions Twelve Sons."
• "[A] spirit as of prophecy had come upon him, constraining him to its purpose as mightily as the old prophets of Israel were constrained; […]"

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