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Lamely: meaning, definitions and examples

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lamely

 

[ ˈleɪmli ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

in a weak manner

In a weak or ineffective way; lacking energy or strength. It can refer to both physical and metaphorical situations, such as a poorly executed action or an unconvincing argument.

Synonyms

feebly, ineffectively, weakly

Examples of usage

  • He lamely tried to defend his decision.
  • The presentation ended lamely with no clear conclusion.
  • She lamely apologized for her mistakes.

Translations

Translations of the word "lamely" in other languages:

🇵🇹 de forma fraca

🇮🇳 कमज़ोर तरीके से

🇩🇪 schwach

🇮🇩 secara lemah

🇺🇦 слабко

🇵🇱 słabo

🇯🇵 弱く

🇫🇷 faiblement

🇪🇸 débilmente

🇹🇷 zayıf bir şekilde

🇰🇷 약하게

🇸🇦 بشكل ضعيف

🇨🇿 slabě

🇸🇰 slabo

🇨🇳 微弱地

🇸🇮 šibko

🇮🇸 veikleika

🇰🇿 әлсіз

🇬🇪 სუსტად

🇦🇿 zəif şəkildə

🇲🇽 débilmente

Word origin

The word 'lamely' comes from the Middle English word 'lamel,' which is a variant of 'lam' meaning 'lame.' The term 'lame' itself originates from the Old English 'lam,' which referred to being physically disabled or crippled. As the English language evolved, 'lamely' emerged as an adverb form to describe actions performed in a manner lacking strength or effectiveness. The progression from discussing physical impairment to describing actions or performances reflects a broader metaphorical usage that developed in the language over the centuries. By the 15th century, 'lamely' was commonly used in English literature, indicating a shift in its application from strictly physical attributes to more general weaknesses or shortcomings in various contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,700, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.