adv. Now arch. or Obs. Also 5 vengably, 6 vengeablie, -eiably, veangeably. [f. prec.]
1. In a revengeful manner; vindictively; cruelly, pitilessly.
1412–20. Lydg., Chron. Troy, IV. 2775. Þis Achille of cruelte … Þe dede cors toke oute of þe taas, And vengably bond it.
a. 1450. Knt. de la Tour (1868), 105. Right so it plesed vnto God that he shulde deye vengeably.
c. 1489. Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xx. 453. He … smote a knyghte soo vengably that he cast hym doun deed to the erthe.
1549. Latimer, 4th Serm. bef. Edw. VI. (Arb.), 103. So that they do it charitiablye louyngelye, not of malyce, not vengeably, not couetouslye.
1586. J. Hooker, Hist. Irel., in Holinshed, II. 78/1. The Irish enimie … vengeablie haue brent a great towne of mine inheritance in Meth, called Ramore.
1848. Anne Brontë, Agnes Grey, xiv. Miss Matilda, having … vengeably thumped the piano for an hour, in a terrible humour both with me and it.
2. Exceedingly, greatly, very.
c. 1550. Bale, Apol., 113. But ye are lyke to come vengeably short.
1575. Laneham, Lett. (1871), 12. It woold haue made mee, for my part, az hardy az I am, very veangeably afeard.
1607. R. C[arew], trans. Estienne’s World of Wond., 291. Some [priests and monks] … haue bin so vengeably learned.
