burely

Middle English

Alternative forms

borly, borely, borelych, borlych, burlich, borlich, borlic, burly, borlyche, bourly, burliche, burlyche, bureliche, borli, burli

Etymology

Unknown. Likely from Old English *borlīċ, attested adverbially in Old English borlīċe (“eminently, excellently, well”).

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈburliː/, /ˈburlit͡ʃ/

Adjective

burely (superlative borliest)

Outstanding, attractive, good-looking, fair, pleasing.
Tough, mighty, imposing, stour.

Descendants

English: burly
Scots: buirdly (possibly); burely

References

“borlī(ch, adj.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2018-07-23.

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