bigly

== English == === Alternative forms === biglie, bygly (both obsolete) === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation, General American) IPA(key): /ˈbɪɡ.li/ Hyphenation: big‧ly Rhymes: -ɪɡli === Etymology 1 === From Middle English bygly, byggly, biggely. By surface analysis, big (“of great size, large (adjective); to a large extent, on a large scale; hard (adverb)”) +‎ -ly. ==== Adverb ==== bigly (comparative more bigly, superlative most bigly) (now rare) In a big way, greatly; to a great extent, on a large scale. (now rare) Strongly, with great force. (now rare) In a blustering or boastful manner; haughtily, pompously. ===== Usage notes ===== Bigly is now rare, possibly nonstandard, and other words such as greatly are typically used instead. Many uses are associated with Donald Trump, who in 2016 often used big league unusually as an adverb, rather than a noun or adjective, which was widely misinterpreted as (and thus popularized) the term bigly. ==== Adjective ==== bigly (comparative more bigly, superlative most bigly) (nonstandard, humorous) Big league. ==== References ==== === Etymology 2 === From Middle English bygly, biglie, byggly (“comfortable, stately, perfect”), borrowed from Old Norse byggiligr, byggviligr (“habitable”); equivalent to big (“to build, construct, live in, reside, dwell”) +‎ -ly. Cognate with Icelandic byggilegur (“inhabitable, liveable”). ==== Adjective ==== bigly (comparative more bigly, superlative most bigly) (Scotland, now obsolete elsewhere) Habitable, liveable; hence delightful, pleasant, pleasing. === Further reading === “bigly”, in OneLook Dictionary Search. === Anagrams === Gilby, bilgy