adv. [f. prec. + -LY2.] In an excellent manner or degree.
† 1. So as to surpass (others). Const. of. Obs.
c. 1340. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 2423. Þes wer forne þe freest þat folȝed alle þe sele, Ex-ellently of alle þyse oþer.
2. In an unusual degree; exceedingly, superlatively, surpassingly: † a. with verbs (obs.); b. with adjs.: now only in good sense (with mixed notion of sense 3); c. with adv. well (arch.).
a. c. 1460. trans. T. à Kempis, 145. Dispute not … why þis is so gretly peyned, & he is so excellently lifte up.
1599. Shaks., Much Ado, III. iv. 13. I like the new tire within excellently.
b. 1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 2. For it may be ryght well, that some be excellently lerned, and yet [etc.].
1548. R. Hutten, Sum of Diuinitie, B v a. By the lawe is sin excellently giltye.
1621. Fletcher, Pilgrim, I. ii. A sorrow shews in his true glory, When the whole heart is excellently sorry.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., I. iv. 15. Nor is it possible without Letters for any man to become either excellently wise, or (unless his memory be hurt by disease, or ill constitution of Organs) excellently foolish.
1692. Dryden, State Innoc., Pref. B 2. Comedy is both excellently instructive, and extreamly pleasant.
1826. Southey, Lett. (1856), IV. 37. Believing that he is an excellently good man.
c. 1529. More, Dyaloge, I. Wks. 121/1. Many an holy bishop … excellently wel lerned in scripture.
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn., II. xviii. § 1. Rr 2. A Science excellent, and excellently well laboured.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 270, ¶ 1. His Part, and that of the Maid … are excellently well performed.
3. Extremely well.
1527. Bible, Isa. xii. 5, in Lewis, Eng. Transl. Bible (1731), 16. Synge unto the Lorde, for he hath done excellentlye.
1553. Eden, Treat. New Ind., Ded. Howe excellently the Poet Homere had set forth his heroical factes.
1603. Knolles, Hist. Turkes (1638), 247. A company of braue soldiers excellently furnished.
1653. Walton, Angler, 51. And so excellently cook’d this fish.
1782. V. Knox, Ess., cxxxii. Wks. (1824), II. 68. He [Erasmus] has written so excellently that [etc.].
1826. Miss Mitford, Village, Ser. I. (1868), 272. Our excellently-intentioned governess.
1872. Morley, Voltaire (1886), 65. Excellently constituted as Fontenelle was in a great many ways.
