Vaguely

adv. [f. as prec. + -LY².]

  1.  In a vague, indefinite, or indeterminate manner; with vagueness or lack of precision; in vague terms.

1781.  Gibbon, Decl. & F., xxx. (1787), III. 185. The services of Stilicho are great and manifest; his crimes, as they are vaguely stated in the language of flattery and hatred, are obscure.

1791.  Boswell, Johnson (1831), I. 330. Concerning the publication of which Sir John Hawkins guesses vaguely and idly.

1824.  W. Irving, T. Trav., I. 30. When my uncle was dressing, he called vaguely to mind the visitor of the preceding night.

1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xix. IV. 303. A motion was made so vaguely worded that it could hardly be said to mean any thing.

a. 1881.  A. Barratt, Phys. Metempiric (1883), 104. To some such conception we are vaguely led.

  b.  Dimly, obscurely.

1871.  Tyndall, Fragm. Sci. (1879), I. xxi. 494. I vaguely discerned the audience and apparatus.

1873.  Black, Pr. Thule, xix. 316. The houses grew vaguely distinct.

  2.  Without attention or concentration of mind or thought; idly, vacantly.

1828.  Scott, F. M. Perth, xxxiv. He stood … listening vaguely to what the magistrate was saying to him.

1878.  T. Hardy, Ret. Native, V. v. ‘No,’ said Eustacia, looking vaguely through the window at the fire.