different between comely vs uncomely

English

Alternative forms

• cumlie, comly (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle English comly, cumly, cumlich, from Old English cyml??, c?ml?? (compare Old English c?me (“fine, exquisite”), from Proto-Germanic *k?miz (“delicate”)), from Proto-Germanic *k?mal?kaz (“pitiful, dear”). Cognate with Middle Dutch komlick, komelick, Middle High German komel?h, gomel?h.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?k?mli/

Adjective

comely (comparative comelier or more comely, superlative comeliest or most comely)

1. (dated, of a person) Pleasing or attractive to the eye.

   Synonym: pulchritudinous

   Antonym: (of a person) homely

   • , "Adam in Paradise"

     He that is comely when old and decrepit, surely was very beautiful when he was young.
2. (archaic) Suitable or becoming; proper; agreeable.

Derived terms

• comeliness

Translations

Anagrams

• Comley

English

Etymology 1

From Middle English uncomli, uncomelich, uncumelich, unkumelich, equivalent to un- +? comely.

Adjective

uncomely (comparative uncomelier, superlative uncomeliest)

1. Not comely.

Etymology 2

From Middle English uncomly, uncomli, from the adjective (see above).

Adverb

uncomely (comparative more uncomely, superlative most uncomely)

1. In an uncomely way; inappropriately, unappealingly.

References

• James A. H. Murray [et al.], editors (1884–1928) , “Uncomely”, in A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles (Oxford English Dictionary), volume X, Part 1 (Ti–U), London: Clarendon Press, OCLC 15566697, page 92, column 1.