Clouterly

/ˈklaʊtərli/ adjective

Definition

Resembling or characteristic of a clouter; crude, rough, or unsophisticated in manner or action.

Etymology

From 'clouter' plus '-ly' (Old English adverbial/adjectival suffix from '-lice,' originally meaning 'like' or 'in the manner of'). This creates an adjective from an agent noun.

Kelly Says

The '-ly' suffix originally meant 'like' or 'in the manner of,' which is why 'lovely' literally means 'having the qualities of love' and 'kingly' means 'like a king,' but we've completely forgotten this etymological meaning and now '-ly' just signals adverbs, showing how morpheme meanings can fossilize and disappear from conscious awareness.

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