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Ruly

//ˈɹuːli// adj, adv

Definitions

Adjective

1
Pitiable; miserable. obsolete
2
Neat and orderly. rare
"What is certain is that everything they see is strange: the lifeless neatness of the courtyard, the straightness of the paths, the ruly gang of labourers in their dull uniforms and with their ageless, polished faces."

Adjective

1
neat and tidy wordnet

Adverb

1
Pitiably; miserably. obsolete

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English rewly, ruly, rewely, reweliche, from Old English hrēowlīċ (“grievous, pitiful, sad, wretched, cruel”), equivalent to rue + -ly.

Etymology 2

From Middle English rewly, reoly, reowliche, from Old English hrēowlīċe (“cruelly”), equivalent to rue + -ly.

Etymology 3

Back-formation from unruly, or perhaps a continuation of Middle English rewly, ruly, reuli (“subject to a religious rule, regular”), equivalent to rule + -ly, rule + -y; or perhaps from Old French rulé, reulé, rieulé (“ruled”), past participle of rieuler (“to rule”). More at rule.

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