clerkly

[ klurk-lee; British klahrk-lee ]

adjective

, clerk·li·er, clerk·li·est.

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a clerk.
2. Archaic. scholarly.

adverb

1. in the manner of a clerk.

clerkly

/ ˈklɑːklɪ /

adjective

1. of or like a clerk
2. obsolete.
   learned

adverb

1. obsolete.
   in the manner of a clerk

Derived Forms

• ˈclerkliness, noun

Other Words From

• clerkli·ness noun
• un·clerkly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of clerkly¹

First recorded in 1400–50, clerkly is from the late Middle English word clerkli. See clerk, -ly

Example Sentences

The Provost-Sergeant had been watching them, at the instigation of a sharp-eyed, clerkly-looking man in semi-uniform.

From Project Gutenberg

Three mornings in succession a business-like envelope addressed in the same clerkly hand!

From Project Gutenberg

But Ethan put the letter of the clerkly hand into his breast-pocket, and went towering out of the room.

From Project Gutenberg

The clerkly-looking person now courteously motioned Maitland to take a chair.

From Project Gutenberg

It is written in a beautiful clerkly hand in close fine character, and is in a perfect state of preservation.

From Project Gutenberg