Commonly

adv. For forms see COMMON a. (Also 5 -aly, -ally.) [ME. comune-, comonlich, -ly, etc., f. COMMON a.: see -LY².]

  † 1.  After a fashion or in a way common to all; in common; generally, universally. Obs.

a. 1300.  Fall & Passion, 46, in E. E. P. (1862), 14. Þat communelich hi ne wer for-lor.

c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 120. Þan þe riche & pouere & alle comonly Fro Berwik to Douere held hir for lady.

1340.  Ayenb., 145. God þet ous made alle comunliche to his anlicnesse.

c. 1400.  Rom. Rose, 6732. Thanne oughten good folk comunly Han of his myscheef somme pitee.

1489.  Edinb. MS. Barbour’s Bruce, XI. 248. Commounaly. Ibid., XII. 304. Commonaly.

1502.  Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W., 1506), I. i. 9. Adam and Eue us bynde all by lawe comonly to synne and dampnacyon.

1574.  Hellowes, Gueuara’s Fam. Ep. (1584), 216. Speaking commonly of all [gentlewomen], I say, that they have more abilitie to breede children, than to keepe secretes.

1581.  Confer., I. C iij. This of Saint James, for that it was written commonly to all the tribes of the Jewes dispersed, was called Catholike or generall.

a. 1656.  Bp. Hall, Rem. Wks. (1660), 371. Some take it to be Man indefinitely, and commonly considered.

  † 2.  In a common body, in one community or company; with common action or accord; unitedly, together. Obs.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 12065 (Gött.). Þe grete lauerdinges … ras again iesu alle bidene, And plaint on him made comminli.

c. 1330.  Arth. & Merl., 6457. Our men bathe gret and lite, To gedir gadred hem comonliche.

1382.  Wyclif, Gen. xiii. 6. The substaunce of hem [Abram and Lot] was myche, and thei myȝten not dwel comounli.

c. 1450.  Merlin, 96. Yef ye and alle the peple comynyally pray to our lorde for his grete pite.

1563.  Homilies, II. Com. Prayer (1859), 357. To pray commonly is for a multitude to ask one and the self thing with one voice.

  † b.  In the way of common possession. Obs.

1591.  Troub. Raigne K. John (1611), 52. What is ours … You shall command as commonly, As if it were your owne.

  † 3.  In intimate union, closely, familiarly. Obs.

c. 1325.  Coer de L., 1808. The Erle of Leycester, the Erle of Hertford, Ful comanly followed they their lord.

1590.  Spenser, F. Q., I. x. 56. He might see The blessed angels to and fro descend From highest heaven in gladsome companee … As commonly as frend does with his frend.

  † 4.  Openly, in public, publicly. Obs.

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, XVII. 799. That nycht thai spak al comonly [MS. E commonaly] Of thame within.

1483.  Caxton, Gold. Leg., 381/4. He suffryd them not to begge comynly.

1568.  Grafton, Chron., II. 611. Thys rumour openly spoken and commenly published.

1611.  Bible, Matt. xxviii. 15. And this saying is commonly reported among the Iewes vntill this day.

  5.  As a usual circumstance; as a general thing; in ordinary cases; usually, ordinarily, generally.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 238 (Cott.). Frankis rimes here I redd Comunlik in ilk[a] sted.

1340.  Ayenb., 56. Zuyche zennes arizeþ communliche ine tauerne.

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, XV. 160. Schir Eduard, that wes comonly Callit the kyng of Irland.

1477.  Earl Rivers (Caxton), Dictes, 26 a. He that is liberall to him self, is commonely liberal to another.

1549.  Bk. Com. Prayer. The firste daie of Lente commonly called Ashe-Wednisdaye.

1611.  Shaks., Wint. T., II. i. 109. I am not prone to weeping (as our Sex Commonly are).

1678.  Bunyan, Pilgr., I. 218. In this Land the shining Ones commonly walked.

1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 121, ¶ 6. Tho’ the Mole be not totally blind (as it is commonly thought).

1747.  Wesley, Prim. Physic (1762), 114. It commonly cures before Morning.

1875.  Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. p. ix. All the writings commonly attributed to Plato.

  6.  In an ordinary manner; to a degree that is common or ordinary. (Qualifying adjs.)

1706.  Estcourt, Fair Examp., IV. i. 46. Because you are a Man of Worth, and her Husband’s Friend, she can hardly be commonly civil to you.

1776.  Gibbon, Decl. & F., I. 348. Carinus … was more than commonly deficient in those qualities.

1853.  Lytton, My Novel, X. xiii. Had such qualities … been applied to objects commonly honest.

  7.  Meanly, cheaply; without anything special.

Mod.  A room very commonly furnished.