ruly — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Pitiable; miserable.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

Adverb

1. Pitiably; miserably.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

Adjective

1. Neat and orderly.

   Usage

   • Rare

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   What is certain is that everything they see is strange: the lifeless neatness of the courtyard, the straightness of the paths, the ruly gang of labourers in their dull uniforms and with their ageless, polished faces.

   1610: John Marston, Histrio-Mastix, page 28 (quarto): [Perpetuana:] Nay Ile be matchlesse for a carckanet,/Whose Pearles and Diamonds plac'd with ruly rocks/Shall circle this faire necke to set it forth [.]

Adjective

1. neat and tidy

   Examples

   a small ruly beard