adv. [f. prec. + -LY2.]
1. In an ambitious manner; with eager desire of attaining to high position or gaining advantage.
1413. Lydg., Pylgr. Sowle, III. vii. (1483), 54. They hauen set their hertes ambiciously for to kepen and assemblen sommes of tresour.
1561. T. N[orton], Calvin’s Inst., III. 227. Nor ambiciously gape for honors.
1588. Shaks., Tit. A., I. i. 18. Princes, that striue … Ambitiously for Rule and Empery.
1655. Fuller, Ch. Hist., II. 70. Martyrdome, as it is not cowardly to be declined, so it is not ambitiously to be affected.
1781. Gibbon, Decl. & F., III. 116. A croud of rivals, who ambitiously disputed the hand of the princess.
1805. Wordsw., Waggoner, IV. Guide after guide Ambitiously the office tried.
2. With manifest effort to be something great; in bad sense, Pretentiously.
Mod. An address ambitiously worded. Ambitiously conceived, but unsuccessfully carried out.
† 3. By personal canvassing; fawningly. Obs. rare.
1598. Greenwey, Tacitus Ann., IV. i. 89. Neither did he abstaine from ambitiously courting the Senators.
