- gingerly
- \ \ see GENERAL
Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
gingerly
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Gingerly — Gin ger*ly, adv. [Prov. E. ginger brittle, tender; cf. dial. Sw. gingla, g[ a]ngla, to go gently, totter, akin to E. gang.] Cautiously; timidly; fastidiously; daintily. [1913 Webster] What is t that you took up so gingerly ? Shak. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
gingerly — [adj] careful calculating, cautious, chary, circumspect, considerate, dainty, delicate, discreet, fastidious, guarded, hesitant, reluctant, safe, squeamish, suspicious, timid, wary; concepts 542,550 Ant. careless, rash, rough, uncareful,… … New thesaurus
gingerly — index meticulous Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
gingerly — (adv.) 1510s, elegantly, daintily, perhaps from O.Fr. gensor, comp. of gent dainty, delicate, from L. gentius (well) born (see GENTLE (Cf. gentle)). Meaning extremely cautiously is from c.1600 … Etymology dictionary
gingerly — ► ADVERB ▪ in a careful or cautious manner. ► ADJECTIVE ▪ showing great care or caution. ORIGIN perhaps from Old French gensor delicate , from Latin genitus well born … English terms dictionary
gingerly — [jin′jər′lē] adv. [altered (after GINGER) < ? OFr genzor, compar. of gent, delicate (see GENT2) + LY2] in a very careful or cautious way adj. very careful; cautious gingerliness n … English World dictionary
gingerly — gin|ger|ly [ˈdʒındʒəli US ər ] adv, adj [Date: 1500 1600; Origin: Perhaps from Old French gensor more small and graceful , from gent born into high rank, small and graceful ] if you move gingerly, or touch something gingerly, you do it in a slow… … Dictionary of contemporary English
gingerly — [[t]ʤɪ̱nʤə(r)li[/t]] ADV GRADED: ADV with v If you do something gingerly, you do it in a careful manner, usually because you expect it to be dangerous, unpleasant, or painful. [WRITTEN] She was touching the dressing gingerly with both hands... I… … English dictionary
gingerly — adverb, adjective if you move gingerly or touch something gingerly you do it in a careful way because you are afraid it will be dangerous or painful: He gingerly felt his way along the dark tunnel … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
gingerly — 1. adverb /ˈdʒɪn.dʒər.li/ Gently; in a delicate or cautious manner. He placed the glass jar gingerly on the concrete step. 2. adjective /ˈdʒɪn.dʒər.li/ Ginger. ...penetrating cautiously into dark cellars, sallying forth with gingerly tread to the … Wiktionary
gingerly — adjective Etymology: perhaps from 1ginger Date: 1604 very cautious or careful • gingerliness noun • gingerly adverb … New Collegiate Dictionary
