kingly

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   having the rank of or resembling or befitting a king

   Symbolizing kingly power.

2. 2
   adj

   Of or belonging to a king or kings; exercised by a king.

   O thou dull god, why liest thou with the vile / In loathsome beds, and leav'st the kingly couch / A watch-case or a common 'larum-bell?

3. 3
   adj

   Characteristic of kings, majestic, regal; as befits a king, in the manner of a king.

   1580s, Philip Sidney, The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia, London: Simon Waterson, 1613, Book 2, p. 159, https://books.google.ca/books?id=a0XVv0Gubt8C&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false For then she sets foorth the liberty of his mind, the high flying of his thoughts, the fitnesse in him to beare rule, the singular loue the subiects bare him; that it was doubtful, whether his wit were greater in winning their fauours, or his courage in imploying their fauours: that he was not borne to liue a subiect-life, each action of his bearing in it Maiestie, such a kingly entertainement, such a kingly magnificence, such a kingly heart for enterprises: especially remembring those vertues, which in successor are no more honored by the subiects, then suspected of the Princes.

4. 4
   adv

   In a royal manner.

From Middle English kyngly, from Old English *cyninglīċ (“kingly, royal”), equivalent to king + -ly. Cognate with Dutch koninklijk (“kingly, royal”), German königlich (“kingly”), Swedish kunglig (“kingly”). Compare also Old English cynelīċ (“kingly, royal, public”).

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