comely
Part of speech: adj
Morphological type: simple
Etymology: The adjective is derived from Middle English comly, comli, cumly, cumlich (“of a person: beautiful, handsome, etc.; of noble birth, bearing, or character; of behaviour: appropriate, becoming; of an event: convenient; favourable; of a thing: beautiful, wonderful; fitting, proper”), from Old English cymlīċ, cȳmlīċ (“beautiful, comely; splendid; convenient”), from cȳme (“beautiful, comely; splendid; exquisite, fine”) + -līċ (suffix meaning ‘like; relating to’ forming adjectives). Cȳme is derived from Proto-Germanic *kūmiz (“delicate; feeble”), from *kūmalīkaz (“dear; pitiful”), probably related to *kūmaz, *kūmijaz (“pitiful; frail, weak”), from Proto-Indo-European *gewH- (“to call, name; to call on, invoke; to cry, cry out”). The word was influenced by come (verb).
The verb is derived from the adjective.
Cognates
Middle Dutch komelick, komlick
Middle High German gomelīh, komelīh
Inflected forms:
form: comelier
pos: adj
tags: comparative
form: more comely
pos: adj
tags: comparative
form: comeliest
pos: adj
tags: superlative
form: most comely
pos: adj
tags: superlative
form: comly
pos: adj
tags: alternative
form: cumlie
pos: adj
tags: alternative
Senses:
gloss: Attractive; visually pleasing; good-looking.
pos: adj
tags: literary
poetic
examples: a comely woman
Not once perceive their foul disfigurement, / But boaſt themſelves more comely than before
This is properly Venus, Beauty, vvhich kindles the fire of Love in Mankinde: […] VVe ſee many perſons exact, and unaccuſtomable in every part, deſtitute of this grace and comlineſſe; others leſſe perfect in thoſe particular conditions, excellently graceful and comely; […]
He that is comely, when old and decrepit, ſurely was very beautiful, when he was young.
[T]he Bishop of London [Humphrey Henchman], who sat there in a pew, made a purpose for him by the pulpitt, do give the last blessing to the congregation; which was, he being a comely old man, a very decent thing, methought. The Lieutenant of the Tower, Sir J[ohn] Robinson, would needs have me by coach home with him, and sending word home to my house I did go and dine with him, his ordinary table being very good, and his lady [Anne Whitmore] a very high-carriaged but comely big woman; I was mightily pleased with her.
Then had I come, preventing Sheba's Queen, / To ſee the comelieſt of the Sons of Men; […]
He [Friday] vvas a comely, handsome Fellovv, perfectly vvell made, vvith ſtrait long Limbs, not too large, tall and vvell ſhap'd; and, as I reckon, about tvventy-ſix Years of Age.
Near to the winter fire sat a beautiful young girl, so like that last that Scrooge believed it was the same, until he saw her, now a comely matron, sitting opposite her daughter.
As the painter looked at the gracious and comely form he had so skilfully mirrored in his art, a smile of pleasure passed across his face, and seemed about to linger there.
The chief's name was To-jo, and his household consisted of seven females and himself. These women were much more comely, or rather less hideous than those of Tsa's people; one of them, even, was almost pretty, being less hairy and having a rather nice skin, with high coloring.
In particular, Connolly loved good food, expensive wine, first-class travel, inscribed first editions, the South of France and, not least, comely young women.
Described as "the most comely woman in the Seven Kingdoms," Hightower has both "courtly grace and a keen political acumen."
gloss: Attractive; visually pleasing; good-looking.
pos: adj
tags: literary
poetic
examples: Doth any contumely vvhich vvee ſuſtaine for religions ſake pierce ſo deeply as […] vvhen they […] trample vnder foote almoſt vvhatſoeuer either vvee or the vvhole Church of God by the ſpace of ſo many ages haue beene accuſtomed vnto for the comlier and better exerciſe of our religion according to the ſoundeſt rules that vviſedome directed by the vvord of God and by long experience confirmed hath beene able vvith common aduice, vvith much deliberation and exceeding great diligence to comprehende; […]
I neuer tempted her vvith vvord too large, / But as a brother to his ſiſter, ſhevved / Baſhfull ſinceritie, and comelie loue.
This is a happier and more comely time, / Then vvhen theſe Fellovves ran about the ſtreets, / Crying Confuſion.
Praiſe ye the Lord: for it is good to ſing praiſes vnto our God: for it is pleaſant, and praiſe is comely.
Behold hovv comely and good a thing it is for brethren to liue together in vnion: […]
That as nothing is more ſvveet and delightfull, ſo nothing more comely and agreeable to humane nature then peaceable living, it being (as Solomon ſaith) an honour to a man to ceaſe from ſtrife; and conſequently alſo a diſgrace to him to continue therein: […]
(A long proceſſion) timely marching home / In comely order to the regal dome.
gloss: Attractive; visually pleasing; good-looking.
pos: adj
tags: literary
poetic
examples: In ſhootinge at the prickes, haſtye and quicke drawinge is neyther ſure nor yet comely.
gloss: Pleasing to the feelings or senses; agreeable, nice, pleasant.
pos: adj
tags: literary
obsolete
poetic
examples: Oh hovv comely it is and hovv reviving / To the Spirits of juſt men long oppreſt! / VVhen God into the hands of thir deliverer / Puts invincible might
[T]hey said many kind and comely things about the people they had met.
Derived words: comelily
comeliness
comely maidens
comelyness
uncomelily
uncomeliness
uncomely
Translations: