featly

comparative featlier · superlative featliest

1. archaicdialectalProperly; suitably.

   Why may not a man beare himselfe betweene enemies featly [translating commodément] and faithfully?

   1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 1, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book III, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC

2. archaicdialectalWith skill or talent; cleverly, skilfully.

   He had alſo ſet a prieſt of his and a ſeculer ſeruaunt of his beſyde to by [buy] many of the ſame ſuyte [of books], & double and treble of one ſorte, whiche were by thẽ [them] vttred to diuers yonge ſcholers ſuch as thei founde properly witted, feately lerned, and newfangly mynded.

   1528, Thomas More, “A Dialogue Concernynge Heresyes & Matters of Religion […]. Chapter IIII.”, in Wyllyam Rastell [i.e., William Rastell], editor, The Workes of Sir Thomas More Knyght, […], London: […] Iohn Cawod, Iohn Waly, and Richarde Tottell, published 30 April 1557, →OCLC, book III, page 213, column 2

3. archaicdialectalGracefully or elegantly.

   […] Foot it featly here and there; / And, sweet sprites, the burden bear.

   1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii]

comparative featlier · superlative featliest

1. archaicdialectalSkilful.
2. archaicdialectalGraceful or elegant.