cleanly

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   in a manner that minimizes dirt and pollution

   the motor burns cleanly

2. 2
   adj

   habitually clean

   cleanly in their persons and habitations

3. 3
   adv

   in an adroit manner

   They bounced it cleanly off the wall.

4. 4
   adv

   without difficulty or distortion

   They played the piano accompaniment cleanly.

5. 5
   adj

   Being habitually clean, practising good hygiene.

   I'l now lead you to an honeſt Ale-houſe, where we ſhall find a cleanly room, Lavender in the windowes, and twenty Ballads ſtuck about the wall; […]

6. 6
   adj

   Cleansing; fitted to remove moisture; dirt, etc.

   In our Fantaſtic Climes the Fair / With cleanly Powder dry their Hair: […]

7. 7
   adj

   Adroit; dexterous; artful.

   Yet at the laſt (ſo well he him applyde,) / Through his fine handling, and cleanly play, / He all thoſe royall ſignes had ſtolne away, / And with the Foxes helpe them borne aſide, / Into a ſecret corner vneſpide.

8. 8
   adv

   In a clean way, neatly.

   He was very cleanly dressed, in a blue coat, striped waistcoat, and nankeen trowsers; […]

Etymology

From Middle English clenly, clenliche, clanly, from Old English clǣnlīċ (“cleanly, pure, excellent”), equivalent to clean + -ly.