kindly English · revision 10574

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 888|origins=ang gecyndelīc}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈkaɪnd.li/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|ang|gecyndelīc|t=natural, innate, lawful]], cyndelīc,^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from gecynd, nature, kind (see [[kind]]), and -līc (see [[-ly]]).^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) The adverb is Old English gecyndelīce, naturally.^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Natural, in accordance with the laws of nature, about 888;^(OED 1989) innate, from 971;^(OED 1989) rightful by birth, about 900.^(OED 1989) The Old English word also meant pertaining to generation, as in cyndlim, womb.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Trench noted that kindly once implied nothing moral: it was simply the adjective of [[kind]], nature.^(Trench 1859) Pleasant or agreeable is from the late 14th century,^(Etymonline) and full of loving courtesy, the main modern sense, from the 1560s.^(Etymonline) The adverb developed in parallel: naturally (about 1200), then pleasantly, with kind feelings, from the mid-13th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 888 – natural.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 900 – rightful by birth.^(OED 1989)

+ * mid-13th century – kindly (adverb), gladly.^(Etymonline)

+ * late 14th century – pleasant.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1560s – full of loving courtesy.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of a sympathetic, helpful or [[benevolent]] nature.^(AHD)^(COED 2004)

+ # Pleasant or agreeable: ''a kindly climate''.^(AHD)

+ # ''(archaic)'' Natural; lawful.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Adverb===

+ # In a kind manner; out of kindness.^(AHD)

+ # Please, in a polite or often ironic request: ''will you kindly sign this''.^(COED 2004)^(NODE 1998)

+ # ''take kindly to'': to accept readily.^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[kindliness]]

+ * [[seakindly]]

+ * [[unkindly]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[kind]]

+ * [[kin]]

+ * [[kindness]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}