ferlyly

adv.

‘wondrously, exceedingly; of marvellous things’ (Modern English ferlily)

Etymology

Formed on ferly (adj.).

PGmc Ancestor

(1) *fēr-; (2) *fera; (3) *fer(e)r-

Proposed ON Etymon (OIcel representative)

 ferligr ‘monstrous’
(ONP ferligr (adj.))

Other Scandinavian Reflexes

OE Cognate

(1)  fǣrlic ‘sudden, unexpected; sudden, rapid (action); accidental’; (2) cp. firen ‘wicked deed, violence, torment’; (3) feorr 'far, removed'

Phonological and morphological markers

Summary category

DD1c

Attestation

More characteristic of N and E and alliterative texts than ferly (adj.).

Occurrences in the Gersum Corpus

Gaw 796, 2494; Cl 962; WA *457

WA 457 <ferly> is emended to *ferlyly by both Skeat and TPD.

Bibliography

MED fērlīlī (adv.) , OED ferlily (adv.) , HTOED , Dance ferlyly