a. Also sportsman-like. [f. prec. + -LIKE.] Resembling a sportsman; like that of a sportsman; consonant with the character or conduct of a sportsman.
1804. Morning Post, 28 Aug., 3/4. Finding it impossible to win the race, out of humanity to her horse, she drew up, in a sportsmanlike style, when within 2 distances.
1816. Scott, Antiq., xxii. He indulges his sportsman-like propensities by shooting my pigeons.
1824. Miss Mitford, Village, Ser. I. (1863), 240. Having something smart and sportsman-like in his appearance.
1853. Kane, Grinnell Exp., l. (1856), 483. If he has with him the light javelin … he may be tempted to use it now: but this, I believe, is not altogether sportsmanlike.
1889. Rider Haggard, Allan’s Wife, 296. The lion is a sportsmanlike animal, and … prefers to kill his own dinner.
b. colloq. Honorable, straightforward.
1899. E. Phillpotts, Human Boy, 119. Freckles, who was an awfully sportsmanlike chap really.
