flatly

comparative more flatly · superlative most flatly

1. In a physically flat or level manner.

   He bent over the old woman again, with his ear turned flatly to her lips and then to the region of her heart.

   1938, Norman Lindsay, Age of Consent, 1st Australian edition, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1962, →OCLC, page 214

   1 more example

   Rabbit country, the working man's uncultivable terrain. Half a mile away, square open patches of yellow sand flatly glittered, and far on the horizon cranes and vast silver cylinders stood about, ghostly shining inhabitants of the marsh.

   1980, Margaret Drabble, The Middle Ground

2. In a definite manner; in a manner showing complete certainty.

   It was an accusation that he flatly denied.

   1 more example

   In 2017 in Zimbabwe, a military takeover brought Robert Mugabe's 37-year rule to and end. But one of the leaders, Maj Gen Sibusiso Moyo, appeared on television at the time, flatly denying it was a military takeover.

   2023 August 30, “Gabon coup: The latest in a serious of military takeovers on the continent”, in BBC

3. In a manner that shows no emotion.

   He replied flatly to the policeman's questions.

   2 more examples

   "Sure you never heard of him?" he asked incredulously. "Never," I said flatly.

   1946, George Johnston, Skyscrapers in the Mist, page 119

   "It's barbarous, Norsus." "It's Rome," said the giant flatly.

   1966, James Workman, The Mad Emperor, Melbourne, Sydney: Scripts, page 65