DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan
Kind·ly a. [Compar. Kindlier superl. Kindliest.]
1. According to the kind or nature; natural. [R.]
The kindly fruits of the earth. --Book of Com. Prayer.
An herd of bulls whom kindly rage doth sting. --Spenser.
Whatsoever as the Son of God he may do, it is kindly for
Him as the Son of Man to save the sons of men. --L. Andrews.
2. Humane; congenial; sympathetic; hence, disposed to do good to; benevolent; gracious; kind; helpful; as, kindly affections, words, acts, etc.
The shade by which my life was crossed, . . .
Has made me kindly with my kind. --Tennyson.
3. Favorable; mild; gentle; auspicious; beneficent.
In soft silence shed the kindly shower. --Pope.
Should e'er a kindlier time ensue. --Wordsworth.
Note: ☞ “Nothing ethical was connoted in kindly once: it was simply the adjective of kind. But it is God's ordinance that kind should be kindly, in our modern sense of the word as well; and thus the word has attained this meaning.”
kindly
adj 1: showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and
generosity; "was charitable in his opinions of
others"; "kindly criticism"; "a kindly act";
"sympathetic words"; "a large-hearted mentor" [syn: charitable,
sympathetic, large-hearted]
2: generously responsive; "good-hearted but inept efforts to
help"; "take a kindly interest"; "a kindly gentleman"; "an
openhearted gift to charity" [syn: good-hearted, kind,
openhearted]
3: pleasant and agreeable; "a kindly climate"; "kindly breeze"
adv : in a kind manner or out of kindness; "He spoke kindly to the
boy"; "she kindly overlooked the mistake" [ant: unkindly]
[also: kindliest, kindlier]