a. and adv. Obs. [ME. þeoflich(e, þevelich:—OE. *þéoflíc, -líce: see THIEF and -LY1, 2.]
A. adj. Thief-like, stealthy, underhand.
1395. Purvey, Remonstr. (1851), 11. It is theefli, fals and symonient.
c. 1422. Hoccleve, Learn to Die, 115. Ful vnwaar was Y of thy theefly breid.
B. adv. In a thievish or thief-like manner; by stealth; stealthily, furtively.
c. 1290. St. Brandan, 284, in S. Eng. Leg., I. 227. Ȝwan it is ov i-brouȝt, Þane ȝe it þeofliche nomen.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XVIII. 336. Theuelich þow me robbedest.
1382. Wyclif, Gen. xl. 15. Theuelich [1388 theefli] Y am had a wey fro the loond of Hebrew.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), VI. 63 (MS. α). Seynt Oswald his arm … was þeefliche [v.rr. þeevelich, þuefliche; Caxton theefly] i-stole out of þe olde restynge place.
1568. Skeyne, The Pest, A ij b. Ane feuir most wikit quietlie and thieflie strikis the patient.
