In a way that arouses curiosity or holds attention; used to introduce a fact or observation that the speaker finds noteworthy.
Derived from 'interesting' plus '-ly,' with 'interest' coming from Latin 'interesse' meaning 'to be between' or 'to make a difference.' The word originally had financial connotations (as it still does) but expanded to mean 'engaging one's attention.' The adverbial form emerged as a way to flag information that should capture the reader's attention.
Interestingly is a meta-commentary word that reveals the speaker's cognitive state—it signals that they've found a connection or pattern worth sharing. It's often used as a bridge between disparate facts, helping writers guide readers through complex information by highlighting the most intellectually engaging elements.
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