adv. [f. prec.]
1. As a matter of amusement or diversion; in or with jesting words or speech; not earnestly or seriously. ? Obs.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 211. Pythagoras … first toucheth the condition and estate of him, whether seriously or sportingly, it is vncertaine.
1581. Sidney, Apol. Poetrie (Arb.), 44. The Satirick … Who sportingly neuer leaueth, vntil hee make a man laugh at folly.
1651. H. More, Second Lash, in Enthus. Tri., etc. (1656), M j b. Thus Reader, is your argument against laughing as solidly argued as sportingly laughed out of countenance.
1674. Bp. Brownrig, Serm., II. 5. The mysteries of Religion are not slightly … or sportingly to be handled.
1768. Sterne, Sent. Journ., Passport, Versailles. Besides, continued I, a little sportingly—I have come laughing all the way from London to Paris.
1848. S. Warren, Now & Then, iv. 173. I sportingly said ‘No, come with us.’
2. With sportive, playful, frolicsome, or lively action or demeanor.
c. 1630. Risdon, Surv. Devon, § 107. The river Ex sportingly disperseth itself into branches.
a. 1639. W. Whateley, Prototypes, II. xxvi. (1640), 22. Sports must be done sportingly, not with the like seriousnesse … as serious matters.
1765. Hunting Song, in The Brent, 29. Hark, hark ye, how echoes the horn in the vale, Whose notes do so sportingly dance on the gale.
1776. S. J. Pratt, Pupil of Pleas. (1777), I. 46. Catching up a myrtle-sprig, [I] kept it, sportingly, as if to conceal a new sigh.
b. Towards sport or enjoyment.
a. 1643. Ld. Falkland, etc., Infallibility (1646), 156. I told you the applying of it to that place would have afforded some game if I had beene so sportingly disposed.
3. In or after the manner characteristic of sport; in sporting language or terms; like a sportsman.
1798. Sporting Mag., XI. 57. Fertile fabrications so sportingly portrayed.
1831. Blackw. Mag., XXIX. 872. He was beat by three good lengths…. But to speak less sportingly [etc.].
1844. W. H. Maxwell, Sports & Adv. Scotl., iii. (1855), 38. No man rode more sportingly to hounds. Ibid., xx. 173. A salmon … took the fly sportingly.
1883. Pall Mall Gaz., 21 Dec., 4/2. Next to good sport, the honest English sportsman likes to dress sportingly.
