- Kingly
- Kingly King"ly, a. [Compar. {Kinglier}; superl. {Kingliest}.]
Belonging to, suitable to, or becoming, a king;
characteristic of, or resembling, a king; directed or
administered by a king; monarchical; royal; sovereign; regal;
august; noble; grand. ``Kingly magnificence.'' --Sir P.
Sidney. ``A kingly government.'' --Swift. ``The kingly
couch.'' --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
The kingliest kings are crowned with thorn. --G. Massey. [1913 Webster]
Leave kingly backs to cope with kingly cares. --Cowper.
Syn: Regal; royal; monarchical; imperial; august; sovereign; noble; splendid.
Usage: {Kingly}, {Regal}. Kingly is Anglo-Saxon, and refers especially to the character of a king; regal is Latin, and now relates more to his office. The former is chiefly used of dispositions, feelings, and purposes which are kinglike; as, kingly sentiments; kingly condescension; `` a kingly heart for enterprises.'' --Sir P. Sidney. The latter is oftener applied to external state, pomp, etc.; as, regal state, regal title, etc. This distinction is not observed by our early writers, but is gaining ground. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.