adv. Also 4–5 Sc. thryftly, 5–6 thriftly, 6 thriftely. [f. THRIFTY + -LY2.]
† 1. In a becoming or seemly manner, properly; worthily, handsomely, finely; hence, thoroughly, soundly, well. Obs.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, III. 162 (211). She toke here leue at hem ful þryftyly.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, xiii. (Marcus), 128. Þe byschape anany did his office ful thryftly.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Prol., 105. A sheef of pecok arwes bright and kene Vnder his belt he bar ful thriftily.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr. (Rolls), 43. If thei schulen thriftili serue to God.
a. 1586. Sidney, Arcadia, III. Wks. 1724, II. 704. Thou … hast sung well and thriftily.
1638. Earl Strafford, Lett. & Disp. (1739), II. 208. Nor that they will … be brought into their right Wits, till they be well and thriftily cudgelled back into them.
2. Frugally, sparingly, economically, carefully.
1581. Pettie, Guazzo’s Civ. Conv., III. (1586), 140. It … doth him good to see his wife so thriftely giuen.
1599. Hakluyt, Voy., II. II. 108. That they might … husband it more thriftily.
1694. Falle, Jersey, iii. 96. Our Kings heretofore did use to dispose of this Revenue more thriftily than they now do.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 430, ¶ 1. A blind Beggar … with a Needle and Thread thriftily mending his Stockings.
1883. S. C. Hall, Retrospect, II. 315. They could neither order a household thriftily, nor cut out a gown.
3. Thrivingly, flourishingly; vigorously.
1865. E. Burritt, Walk Land’s End, vii. 215. Two of the largest and oldest California pines are growing most thriftily in these gardens.
1894. A. G. Robinson, in Amer. Missionary, Sept., 330. The seed … is growing thriftily, and … will bear a harvest.
