a. [f. SNAIL sb.1 + -ISH.] Somewhat resembling (that of) the snail; slothful, slow, sluggish.
1581. Nuce, trans. Seneca, Octavia, I. iii. And snaylish age in going soft Unto her thews is not ybounde.
1623. Wodroephe, Marrow Fr. Tongue, 245/2. O, what snailish heart hast thou! cæur de limaçon.
1889. C. Edwardes, Sardinia, 130. The snailish movements of the dance.
Hence Snailishly adv.
1861. Punch, 5 Jan., 2/2. ’Twas costly and crazy, and snailishly slow. Ibid. (1889), 1 June, 257/2. Like the snail, you will carry your house where you go, And your progress may also be snailishly slow.
1874. Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, 22 Sept., 3/3. At night, when the moon is up, sentimental couples stroll snailishly along, and pour out, in smothered tones, the hopes, doubts and fears that have been pent up within them for at least a whole day.
