ferly
Americannoun
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ferlies
plural
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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
Noun Inflected 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.
See Examples For:
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 Robert Burns
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
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 Sir Richard Francis Burton
He hailsed me with mikel pride; Ic haved wel mykel ferly wat he was; 15 I saide,—"Wel mote the betyde, That litel man with large face."
From English and Scottish Ballads, Volume I (of 8) by Various
A ferly strife fell them between, As they went by the way, Little John said he had won five shillings And Robin Hood said shortly nay.
From Ballads of Robin Hood and other Outlaws Popular Ballads of the Olden Times - Fourth Series by Frank Sidgwick
Light down, light down, now, True Thomas,And lean your head upon my knee;Abide and rest a little space,And I will shew you ferlies three.
From A Collection of Ballads by Andrew Lang
I remember she used to tell us of a wonderful visit to London, and of how she came home sick at heart about leaving all the "ferlies," as she called them.
From Olivia in India by O. Douglas
"Gien yer lordship likes to see yer ain ferlies, I ken whaur some o' them lie," he said.
From Malcolm by George MacDonald
The langer we live we see the mair ferlies.
From The Proverbs of Scotland by Alexander Hislop
"What do you mean by ferlies?" asked the marquis.
From Malcolm by George MacDonald
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