adv. [f. prec. + -LY2.] In a childish way. a. In a way befitting or proper to a child; in the manner of a child.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, IV. 804. My litel tonge If I discryven wold hire hevynesse, It sholde … childisshly deface Hire heighe compleynte.
a. 1661. Holyday, Juvenal, 263/2. Little ones, that childishly crave for some small coin.
1865. Dickens, Mut. Fr., I. v. Childishly-inquiring gray eyes.
1884. Miss Braddon, Ishmael, xxvii. A crop of fluffy curls frizzling childishly all over her head.
b. In a way not befitting mature age; in a puerile, foolish or silly manner.
1553. Eden, Treat. New Ind. (Arb.), 10. Lactantius, childisshelye erringe denyed that [etc.].
1597. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. lxxxi. § 12. As some have childishly imagined.
1656. Trapp, Comm. Matt. xxiv. 36. Many learned men, who have thus childishly set their wits to play in so serious a business.
1742. Fielding, J. Andrews, IV. viii. You talk foolishly and childishly.
1879. McCarthy, Own Times (1880), III. xlv. 345. Childishly ignorant of many things.
