In a breathy manner; with audible breath or a whispery quality in the voice or sound.
From 'breathy' (breath + -y) plus '-ly' (adverb suffix from Old English -lice). Emerged in the 20th century as a way to describe vocal qualities in writing and criticism.
Voice actors distinguish between 'breathily' (uncontrolled audible breathing suggesting weakness) and 'intimately whispering' (controlled breathing for emotional effect)—same sound, totally different meaning!
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