wively

English

Etymology

From Middle English wifly, equivalent to wife +‎ -ly.

Adjective

wively (comparative more wively, superlative most wively)

1. Obsolete form of wifely.
   • a. 1587, Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “(please specify the folio)”, in [Fulke Greville; Matthew Gwinne; John Florio], editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia, London: […] [John Windet] for William Ponsonbie, published 1590, →OCLC:

     But Basilius could not abstaine from praising Parthenia , as the perfect picture of a womanly vertue , and wively

   • 1690, [John] Dryden, Amphitryon; or, The Two Sosia’s. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […]; and M. Tonson […], published 1691, →OCLC, (please specify the page):

     With all the tenderness of Wively Love

   • 2004, Journal of Historical Research, volumes 46-48, page 49:

     Hence, self sacrifice like that of original Sati became a divine example of wively devotion, the best measure of judging the women's virtue as well as her loyalty towards her husband.

References

• “wively”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.

Anagrams

• viewly