adv. Obs. Also 5 voidli, voydely, 6 -lye. [f. VOID a. + -LY2. Cf. OF. vuidement (Godef.).] Vainly, uselessly; to no purpose.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 4384. At Vaxor þe vayn pepull voidly honourit Bachian … as a blist god.
1402. Pol. Poems (Rolls), II. 103. Thanne was the memento put fal[s]ly in the masse, and hooli chirche voidli or madli biddith preye.
1493. Festivall (W. de W., 1515), 157 b. Of Christ thou takest thy name … And beware that thou bere not thy name voydely.
1544. Betham, Precepts War, I. cxcvi. I iv. By whych policie he shal neuer attempte, ne enterpryse anye matter voydelye,… but by all wayes he shall haue hys owne desyre.
