ly-

1 of 3

combining form

variants or lyo-

1

: degrading : reduction

lyase

2

: dispersed state : dispersion

lyophilic

-ly

2 of 3

adjective suffix

lē;

 in some dialects, especially British, Southern, New England, often  but not shown at individual entries li

1

: like in appearance, manner, or nature : having the characteristics of

queenly

fatherly

2

: characterized by regular recurrence in (specified) units of time : every

hourly

weekly

-ly

3 of 3

adverb suffix

1

a

: in a (specified) manner

slowly

b

: at a (specified) time interval

annually

2

: from a (specified) point of view

eschatologically

3

: with respect to

partly

4

: to a (specified) degree

relatively

5

: in a (specified) place in a series

secondly

Examples of ly- in a Sentence

Adverb suffix

The paper is published weekly.

Word History

Etymology

Combining form

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Greek lyein to loosen, dissolve — more at lose

Adjective suffix

Middle English, from Old English -līc, -lic; akin to Old High German -līh, -lic, Old English līc body — more at like entry 3

Adverb suffix

Middle English, from Old English -līce, -lice, from -līc, adjective suffix

Kids Definition

-ly

1 of 2 adjective suffix

lē

1

: resembling in appearance, manner, or nature : having the characteristics of

queenly

fatherly

2

: happening in a regular pattern at (specified) time periods

hourly

-ly

2 of 2 adverb suffix

1

: in a (specified) manner

slowly

2

: from a (specified) point of view

grammatically

Etymology

Adjective suffix

Old English -līc, -lic "like"

Adverb suffix

Old English -līce, -lice "in a (specified) manner," from -līc "like"