cleanly

comparative cleanlier · comparative more cleanly · superlative cleanliest · superlative most cleanly · alternative clenly

1. Being habitually clean, practising good hygiene.

   [H]is lov'd partner boaſtful of her hoard, Diſplays the cleanly platter on the board; […]

   1764 December 19 (indicated as 1765), Oliver Goldsmith, The Traveller, or A Prospect of Society. A Poem. […], London: […] J[ohn] Newbery, […], →OCLC, page 11

   3 more examples

   I'l now lead you to an honeſt Ale-houſe, where we ſhall find a cleanly room, Lavender in the windowes, and twenty Ballads ſtuck about the wall; […]

   1653, Iz[aak] Wa[lton], chapter II, in The Compleat Angler or The Contemplative Man’s Recreation. Being a Discourse of Fish and Fishing, […], London: […] T. Maxey for Rich[ard] Marriot, […], →OCLC; reprinted as The Compleat Angler (Homo Ludens; 6), Nieuwkoop, South Holland, Netherlands: Miland Publishers, 1969, →ISBN, page 49

   There were some flat slabs of rock in the centre, with an excellent well close by, and there we sat in cleanly comfort while we made our first plans for the invasion of this new country.

   1912, Arthur Conan Doyle, “‘The most Wonderful Things have Happened’”, in The Lost World […], London; New York, N.Y.: Hodder and Stoughton, →OCLC, page 165

   He was white in colour, and had golden teeth, and he sat upon the clouds, occupying all the space above. Being of a very cleanly habit, he was constantly rubbing himself in order to preserve the whiteness of his skin unsullied.

   1918, James George Frazer, Folk-Lore In The Old Testament, volume 1, page 16

2. obsoleteCleansing; fitted to remove moisture; dirt, etc.

   In our Fantaſtic Climes the Fair / With cleanly Powder dry their Hair: […]

   1718, Mat[thew] Prior, “Alma: Or, The Progress of the Mind”, in Poems on Several Occasions, London: […] Jacob Tonson […], and John Barber […], →OCLC, canto II, page 354

3. obsoleteAdroit; dexterous; artful.

   Yet at the laſt (ſo well he him applyde,) / Through his fine handling, and cleanly play, / He all thoſe royall ſignes had ſtolne away, / And with the Foxes helpe them borne aſide, / Into a ſecret corner vneſpide.

   1591, Ed[mund] Sp[enser], “Prosopopoia. Or Mother Hubberds Tale.”, in Complaints. Containing Sundrie Small Poemes of the Worlds Vanitie. […], London: […] William Ponsonbie, […], →OCLC, signature P2, verso

comparative cleanlier · comparative more cleanly · superlative cleanliest · superlative most cleanly

1. In a clean way, neatly.

   He was very cleanly dressed, in a blue coat, striped waistcoat, and nankeen trowsers; […]

   1849 May – 1850 November, Charles Dickens, “I Make another Beginning”, in The Personal History of David Copperfield, London: Bradbury & Evans, […], published 1850, →OCLC, page 157

2. Not causing a mess or unnecessary damage.

   We agreed to break off our relationship cleanly.

   1 more example

   Fortunately, the bullet passed cleanly through your shoulder.

3. Innocently; without stain.

   If I do growe great, ile growe leſſe, for ile purge and leaue Sacke, and liue cleanlie as a noble man ſhould do.

   c. 1597 (date written), [William Shakespeare], The History of Henrie the Fourth; […], quarto edition, London: […] P[eter] S[hort] for Andrew Wise, […], published 1598, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iv], signature [K4], recto

   Synonyms: purely, sinlessly, blamelessly, guiltlessly, innocently, irreprehensibly, purely, sinlessly

4. Adroitly; dexterously.

   The boy will do well certain : give him grace To have a quick hand and convey things cleanly

   c. 1616, Thomas Middleton, The Witch