ferly

American  

[fer-lee] / ˈfɛr li /

Or ferlie

noun

plural

ferlies

1. something unusual, strange, or causing wonder or terror.

2. astonishment; wonder.

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adjective

1. unexpected; strange; unusual.

ferly British  

/ ˈfɛrlɪ /

adjective

1. wonderful; strange

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noun

1. a wonder; something strange or marvellous

verb

1. to wonder; be surprised

Etymology

Origin of ferly

First recorded before 900; Middle English fæ(i)rlich, feorlic(h), from Old English fǣrlīc, equivalent to fǣr “sudden danger” + -līc, adjective suffix; cognate with German gefährlich, Dutch gevaarlijk “dangerous”; see origin at fear, -ly

Example Sentences

My heart for parting ever burns with lowe; * My lids fiery with      tear-floods ever flow: Ho thou in lover's loving ferly fair, * Cut is the road for those      Love gars to glow.

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 15 by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir

Bot I haf grete ferly, that I fynd no man, That has writen in story, how Hauelok this lond wan.

From The Lay of Havelok the Dane by Unknown

Whereupon the Heelandman bought a Kilmarnock nichtcap, price elevenpence happeny, frae Mr. Weft, and paid him wi' part of the very note that brocht on the ferly I hae just been relating.

From The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 10, No. 275, September 29, 1827 by Various

Ye are sae grave, nae doubt ye're wise; Nae ferly tho' ye do despise The hairum-scairum, ram-stam boys, The rattling squad: I see ye upward cast your eyes— Ye ken the road!

From Poems and Songs of Robert Burns by Burns, Robert

O rare the Ewer's form whereon must dote * Our hearts and pupils      of our eyes fain gloat: Seems ferly fair to all admiring orbs * You seemly body wi' the      slender throat.

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 15 by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir