Seely

Alternative forms

• sely

Origin

From Middle English sely, from Old English *sǣliġ ("blessed") (attested only in form ġesǣliġ), from Proto-Germanic *sēlīgaz ("lucky, happy"), equivalent to seel + -y. Cognate with West Frisian sillich, Dutch zalig, German selig. Developed into silly.

Full definition of seely

Adjective

1. (obsolete) Lucky, fortunate.
2. (obsolete) Innocent; harmless.
3. (obsolete) Pitiable, deserving of sympathy; poor, miserable.
• 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, Folio Society 2006, vol. 1 p. 57:Whereas the poore, the banished, and seely servants, live often as carelesly and as pleasantly as the other.
4. (obsolete) Trifling, insignificant.
5. (obsolete) Silly, foolish.