adv. Forms: (see prec.). [f. prec. + -LY2.] In a vigorous manner; with vigor or energy; by means of vigorous action, measures, etc.; actively and strongly.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, III. 142. Then the king … Strak at the tothir wigorusly,… That at the fyrst strak he him slew.
c. 1440. Lovelich, Merlin, 11378. He … forth wente thorwh the pres vigerously fyhtyng, with-owten les.
c. 1450. Merlin, x. 155. Thei smyten in a-monge hem so vigorously that oon myght here the crassinge of speres half a myle longe.
1481. Caxton, Godfrey, xvi. 44. The peple of the Royame of Fraunce,… aftir they herde this prechyng, entreprysed so vygorously the werke of our lord,… as ye shal here.
1518. H. Watson, Hist. Oliver of Castile (Roxb.), M j. They that were within the castell defended them vygorously.
1564. Reg. Privy Council Scot., I. 306. The Quenis Majestie will sa vigorouslie puneis him … that the West Marchis sall tak exempill thairof.
1647. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., I. § 69. The Duke [of Buckingham] … being resolv’d to make Peace with Spain, to the end he might more vigorously pursue the War with France.
1685. Petty, Last Will, p. iv. Having vigorously followed my studies … at Utrecht, Leyden, Amsterdam, and Paris.
1709. Steele, Tatler, No. 4, ¶ 6. Except more effectual Measures were taken for acting vigorously against the Enemy.
1782. A. Monro, Compar. Anat. (ed. 3), 304. Pronation is performing vigorously.
1813. Sir H. Davy, Agric. Chem. (1814), 67. At the time the leaves are most vigorously performing their functions.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., I. xxv. 190. I saw Balmat … thrust his hands into the snow, and commence rubbing them vigorously.
1877. Lady Brassey, Voy. Sunbeam, ix. (1878), 148. Cheery looking little dogs, barking vigorously.
b. Intensely, prominently.
1638. Junius, Paint. Ancients, 279. One or other inlighted part of the picture becommeth more vigorously bright.
c. Comb., as vigorously-correct, disciplined, -phrased adjs.
1824. J. Foster, in Life & Corr. (1846), II. 60. There is no one thing more urgently wanted … than a class of vigorously disciplined young scholars.
1867. F. H. Ludlow, Fleeing to Tarshish, 132. A young man of such vigorously-correct habits.
1897. Daily News, 31 March, 8/3. The Lady Mayoress … made a short but vigorously-phrased plea.
