adv. Also 6 lamentablely. [f. LAMENTABLE + -LY2.]
1. With lamentation or passionate expression of sorrow; mournfully, dolefully. Now rare.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, V. v. They lefte her shryking and cryenge lamentably.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. vii. 5. She … lamentably recounted to hym all the felonyes and iniuries done to her by Syr Hewe Spencer.
1534. More, Comf. agst. Trib., II. Wks. 1201/2. Lette him lamentablye beseche God of hys gracyous ayde and helpe, to strength hys infyrmitie.
1575–85. Abp. Sandys, Serm., xv. 260. Of this his great miserie he complaineth him lamentably in diuerse of his Psalmes.
1611. Shaks., Wint. T., IV. iv. 190. I loue a ballad but euen too well, if it be dolefule matter merrily set downe: or a very pleasant thing indeede, and sung lamentably.
1679. Hist. Jetzer, a 2/1. She complains Lamentably of the affront done her.
1783. Wolcot (P. Pindar), Odes to R. A.’s, vi. Wks. 1812, I. 64. Pity it is! ’tis true ’tis pity. As Shakspeare lamentably says.
1847. G. P. R. James, J. Marston Hall, xii. He spoke learnedly and lamentably upon the evils and inconveniences of his own profession.
2. So as to call for lamentation or mourning; pitiably, deplorably; hence (with weakened meaning), woefully, grievously.
1577–87. Holinshed, Chron., III. 355/2. A hundred and twentie temporall men with diuerse preests and manie women were drowned and lamentablie perished.
1585. J. Norden, Sinf. Man’s Solace, i. 13 b. Lazarus, who lamentablely oppressed with hunger … begged at his gate.
1606. Shaks., Ant. & Cl., III. x. 26. Our Fortune on the Sea is out of breath, And sinkes most lamentably.
1671. Glanvill, Disc. M. Stubbe, 23. What you add … is lamentably impertinent.
1678. Wanley, Wond. Lit. World, V. ii. § 78. 472/1. The miserable Emperour being lamentably trod to death in the Throng.
1816. T. L. Peacock, Headlong Hall, ii. It will grow small by degrees and lamentably less.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., ii. I. 212. He had a strong though a lamentably perverted sense of duty and honor.
1885. Leeds Mercury, 24 June, 4/4. The new Government will be so lamentably weak in debating power.
