Icily Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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icily
[ˈaɪsɪli ]
Definition
manner of speaking
Icyly refers to a manner that is cold or unfriendly. It can describe someone's emotional demeanor or the temperature of an environment. It suggests a lack of warmth or friendliness.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- She answered icily, leaving no room for discussion.
- He walked icily past his old friends.
- The winter air bit icily at their faces.
- The reception was icily indifferent.
Translations
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Origin of 'icily'
The word 'icily' derives from 'icy', which originates from the Old English 'isig', meaning 'icy or frost-covered'. As English evolved through the influence of Norman French and Latin, the term retained its core meaning relating to things that are very cold or related to ice. 'Icily' has come into use as an adverb form describing the manner in which actions or behaviors are conducted, particularly when suggesting something unfriendly or frigid in nature. This transformation into a descriptor of demeanor emphasizes the emotional connotation of coldness in interactions, reflecting how the original physical trait associated with ice has been metaphorically applied to human relations.