Obs. Forms: 1 cýmlíce, 3 cumeliche, 4 comeliche, comliche, cumli, commli, 4–5 comly, 5 cumly, 6 cumlie, comelie, (combly), 6–8 comely. [OE. cýmlíce adv. f. cýmlíc adj.: see -LY2. Phonetic and sense history, as in the adj.] Handsomely, nicely, suitably; in a seemly or becoming manner.
Beowulf, 75. Ne hyrde ic cymlicor ceol ʓeʓyrwan.
a. 1225. St. Marher., 19. Þet ha cumeliche faren.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 15209. Quen þis hus was commli dight.
c. 1350. Will Palerne, 2220. A cite nobul Enclosed comeliche aboute wiþ fyn castelwerk.
c. 1435. Torr. Portugal, 1707. Tho sye they … Men of armes ffaste ride, On coursers comly dight.
c. 1510. Barclay, Mirr. Good Mann. (1570), A iij. Grauitie Which to both our states more comely may agree.
1597. Shaks., Lover’s Compl., 65. Comely distant sits he by her side.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., II. ii. II. (1651), 237. Decently and comely attired.
1651. Jer. Taylor, Serm. I. Ep. Ded. He speaks comely.
