English edit

Adjective edit

masterlie (comparative more masterlie, superlative most masterlie)

  1. Obsolete spelling of masterly
    • a. 1569 (date written), Roger Ascham, “The First Booke for the Youth [Teachyng the Brynging vp of Youth]”, in Margaret Ascham, editor, The Scholemaster: Or Plaine and Perfite Way of Teaching Children, to Vnderstand, Write, and Speake, the Latin Tong, [], London: [] John Daye, [], published 1570, →OCLC, folio 12, recto:
      The godlie counſels of Salomon and Ieſus the ſonne of Sirach, for ſharpe kepinge in, and bridleinge of youth, are ment rather, for fatherlie correction, then maſterlie beating, rather for maners, than for learninge: for other places, than for ſcholes.
    • 1653, Arthur Wilson, “[A Letter to My Lord Monteagle [William Parker, 4th Baron Monteagle]]”, in The History of Great Britain, being the Life and Reign of King Iames the First, [], London: [] Richard Lownds, [], →OCLC, page 30:
      Many times fear is a profitable and an active ſervant, if it do not dominere and grow maſterlie.
    • 1659 (indicated as 1660), Tobie Mathews [i.e., Tobie Matthew], “A Most Humble Servant, to a Most Noble Lady; with Thanks to Her for Some Favours, and Desires of More”, in John Donne, editor, A Collection of Letters, Made by Sr Tobie Mathews Kt. [], London: [] Henry Herringman, [], →OCLC, page 128:
      I have therefore drawn this Picture of her, which your Ladiſhip ſees; and I conceive it, to be very like the Originall, though the hand be not so maſterlie, as the Perſon deſerves, and I wiſh.
    • [1849], [Anne Manning], “[Aug. 1, 1644]”, in The Maiden & Married Life of Mary Powell, afterwards Mistress Milton, London: [] Hall, Virtue, & Co. [], →OCLC, page 177:
      I fancied you had good Diſpoſitions which, under maſterlie Trayning, would ripen into noble Principles; and therefore promoted your Marriage as far as my Intereſt with your Father had Weight.
      A use of the obsolete spelling of the word for literary effect.

Anagrams edit