van lieverlee

Dutch

Etymology

The origin of lieverlee is unclear. The whole word is attested in an earlier form as lieverlede (the intervocalic -d- vanishing is not irregular; compare leder / leer), and even earlier as Middle Dutch lieverlade. It is clear that it represents a univerbation, where the first element liever is a dative feminine singular adjective form (compare van hogerhand) of lief, but the ultimate meaning and origin of lee (from earlier lede, lade) is less clear. This etymology is incomplete. You can help Wiktionary by elaborating on the origins of this term.

Prepositional phrase

van lieverlee

1. (idiomatic) Little by little; gradually; slowly.