ferly

or fer·lie

[ fer-lee ]

noun

, plural fer·lies.

1. something unusual, strange, or causing wonder or terror.
2. astonishment; wonder.

adjective

1. unexpected; strange; unusual.

ferly

/ ˈfɛrlɪ /

adjective

1. wonderful; strange

noun

1. a wonder; something strange or marvellous

verb

1. to wonder; be surprised

Word History and Origins

Origin of ferly¹

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”; fear, -ly

Word History and Origins

Origin of ferly¹

Old English færlic sudden

Example Sentences

It is nae mair ferly to see a woman greit than to see a goose go barefit.

From Project Gutenberg