Definition of "goodly"
goodly1
adjective
comparative goodlier, superlative goodliest
(dated) Good; pleasing in appearance; attractive; comely; graceful; pleasant; desirable.
Quotations
The diuell can cite Scripture for his purpoſe, / An euill ſoule producing holy witneſſe, / Is like a villaine with a ſmiling cheeke, / A goodly apple rotten at the heart. / O what a goodly outſide falſehood hath.
c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act I, scene ii], page 166
Then the prince left her and betook himself to the palace of the King his father, who rejoiced in his return and met him and welcomed him; and the Prince said to him, "Know that I have left her without the city in such a garden and come to tell thee, that thou mayst make ready the procession of estate and go forth to meet her and show her the royal dignity and troops and guards." Answered the King, "With joy and gladness"; and straightway bade decorate the town with the goodliest adornment.
1885, Richard F. Burton, The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night
Quite large; considerable; sufficient; adequate; more than enough.
Quotations
goodly2
adverb
comparative goodlier, superlative goodliest
(obsolete) In a goodly way; courteously, graciously.
Quotations
Thenne he sente for the thre knyghtes & they came afore hym / and he cryed hem mercy of that he had done to them / and they forgaf hit hym goodely and he dyed anone / Whanne the kynge was dede / alle the cyte was desmayed and wyst not who myghte be her kynge(please add an English translation of this quotation)
1485, Sir Thomas Malory, “xxij”, in Le Morte Darthur, book XVII
(dialectal or obsolete) Well; excellently.
Quotations
I know doin' marriage is tough and hard to pull off for a long time, but from what I has been led to believe, you two was doin' it quite goodly. As goodly as a huntin' shootin' fishin' filmin' drinkin' Englishy can do with a gyratin' pumpin' singin' lookin' wearinv Yankee-doodle icon. It was seemin' to be good together.
2011, Dawn French, Dear Fatty