1. At a low price, at a cheap rate, at small cost. lit. and fig.
1552. Huloet, Cheapely, viliter.
1605. Shaks., Macb., V. viii. 37. So great a day as this is cheapely bought.
1659. Gentl. Call. (1696), 81. One may almost as cheaply and easily rig out a Ship.
1762–71. H. Walpole, Vertue’s Anecd. Paint. (1786), I. Pref. 3. The antiquary … is more cheaply pleased than a common reader.
1868. Ruskin, Pol. Econ. Art., ii. 87. We ought not to get books too cheaply.
1885. R. A. Proctor, Whist, iv. 58. The fourth player’s duty is usually but to win the trick if he can, and as cheaply as he can.
2. In low esteem, lightly, slightingly.
1822. Q. Rev., XXVIII. 44. Holding the Protestants thus cheaply.
1865. Pusey, Eiren., 95. A tendency to hold cheaply by Holy Scripture.
1885. Manch. Weekly Times, 4 April, 5/5. St. Paul … treating rather cheaply the pretensions of this church at Jerusalem.
