primly

American  

[prim-lee] / ˈprɪm li /

adverb

1. in a proper, neat, precise, or fastidious way.

   Today I stand in my navy blue uniform, my feet primly encased in black boots laced neatly over wool socks.

   As we left the restaurant I noticed that most of the other diners were eating their shrimp with knives and forks, primly dissecting each one.

2. (especially of a woman or girl) in a way that is excessively demure or modest.

   Justin and I sat, and she sat across from us, primly holding her knees together and folding her hands on top of them.

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Etymology

Origin of primly

prim ¹ ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

But as Wicks fell to the floor, Jud was onstage clutching a 6-foot cross and each of the other potential suspects was seated primly in their seats.

From Los Angeles Times

The lady smiled primly and scratched under the edge of her bonnet.

From Literature

This was no primly patterned minuet, where dancers stood side by side, attention directed to precisely mapping elaborate steps.

From Los Angeles Times

Remember the kid who sat next to you in math class and primly guarded his test paper from cheating eyes with a bent elbow?

From New York Times

Behind him, a primly dressed elderly lady stands at the bus stop and regards him disapprovingly.

From New York Times