ferly
Americannoun
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something unusual, strange, or causing wonder or terror.
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astonishment; wonder.
adjective
adjective
noun
verb
Other Word Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Many a ferly fares to the fair-eyed," quoth he; "and also I will tell thee in thine ear that this Lady may not be so great as her name is great.
From Child Christopher and Goldilind the Fair by Morris, William
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
On solemn oath Vidyāpati reveals A yet more ferly thing: Pondering ever on your ways Is the root of her undoing.
From Vidy?pati: Bang?ya pad?bali; songs of the love of R?dh? and Krishna by Vidy?pati Th?kura
I passed a beardless pair without compare * And cried, 'I love you, both you ferly fir!'
From The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 05 by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir
By Allah, ne'er beheld my eyes a face so ferly fair * Amid mankind whoever are, Arab or Ajamí.
From The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 08 by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
