adv. [f. as prec. + -LY2.] In a terrible manner.
1. So as to excite terror or dread; dreadfully.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 245 b. Impenitent synners … drawen downe to hell moost terribly or feerfully.
1610. Shaks., Temp., II. i. 313. We heard a hollow burst of bellowing Like Buls, or rather Lyons,… It strooke mine eare most terribly.
1718. Prior, Solomon, I. 639. This ample azure sky, Terribly large, and wonderfully bright.
a. 1848. R. W. Hamilton, Rew. & Punishm., viii. (1853), 362. It is at death that the consequences of guilt are often most terribly revealed.
2. Very severely, painfully, or badly; passing colloquially into a general intensive: Exceedingly, extremely, excessively, very greatly.
1604. E. G[rimstone], D’Acosta’s Hist. Indies, III. xx. 184. It raines and snowes terribly.
1707. Curios. in Husb. & Gard., 274. Tulips are charming to the Sight, but terribly offensive to the Smell.
1774. Goldsm., Nat. Hist. (1776), VI. 101. Relying on its courage, and the strength of its bill, with which it [the puffin] bites most terribly.
1867. Trollope, Chron. Barset, II. lviii. 147. You must be terribly in want of your dinner.
1871. Jowett, Plato, I. 49. Why then are they so terribly anxious to prevent you from being happy?
Mod. I am at present terribly busy.
