adv. Forms: (see VIRTUOUS a.). [f. prec. + -LY2.]

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  1.  In a virtuous manner; according to or in conformity with moral laws; uprightly, righteously; chastely, purely.

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c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 46. Qwikenynge hem wiþ my grace, to lyve in mekenes vertuously.

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1422.  Yonge, trans. Secreta Secret., 236. How that ye shal kepe youre sowle fro vices and ill maners, and vertuosly to lywe.

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1463.  Bury Wills (Camden), 36. A rememberaunce of oold love vertuously set at alle tymes to the pleseen of God.

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1509.  Paternoster, Ave & Creed, A ij. To dyspose men to be vertuously occupyed in theyr myndes and prayers.

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1597.  Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. lxvii. § 12. How should a vertuously disposed minde better resolue with it selfe then thus?

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1604.  Shaks., Oth., IV. i. 7. They that meane vertuously, and yet do so, The Diuell their vertue tempts, and they tempt Heauen.

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1682.  Norris, Hierocles, 22. The denial of Honour to our Parents wherein we think we doe vertuously.

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1691.  Hartcliffe, Virtues, 105. To be vertuously Magnificent, is with daily Provisions to feed the Hungry.

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1709.  Steele, Tatler, No. 33, ¶ 6. This Woman, who could be so virtuously impertinent, as to admonish one she was hardly acquainted with.

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1838.  Dickens, Nickleby, xxviii. Here Mrs. Wititterley tossed her head—not passionately only virtuously.

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1847.  Carlyle, Misc., IV. 223. This we say the present editor has virtuously forborne.

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  † 2.  Bravely, courageously, valiantly. Obs. rare.

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1422.  Yonge, trans. Secreta Secret., 162. Therfor the troians vertuosly the grecans into hare tentis fleynge suyt.

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c. 1530.  Ld. Berners, Arth. Lyt. Bryt. (1814), 109. Hector encountred the fyrst so vertuously, yt he ran him thrugh out with his spere.

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  † 3.  With great skill or excellence. Obs.–1

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c. 1425.  Wyntoun, Cron., VII. 981 (Cott.). Þat buk Qwhar Master Iohun Barbere … His dedis ditit mar wertusly Þan I can thynk in al study.

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  † 4.  Virtually. Obs. rare.

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1426.  Lydg., De Guil. Pilgr., 6030. Somme vnderstonde certeynly That he ys ther vertuously; Somme seyn ‘ymaginatiue,’ And somme ‘representatiue.’

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1502.  Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W., 1506), II. viii. 104. Also this fourth commaundement yt is the fyrst of ye seconde table conteyneth in hym vertuously yr .vii. werkes of mercy.

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  † 5.  Powerfully, strongly. Obs.–1

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  In quot. used affectedly.

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1588.  Shaks., Timon, I. ii. 232. 1. Lord. We are so vertuously bound. Tim. And so am I to you. 2. Lord. So infinitely endeer’d.

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