I. -lē, -li adjective
Etymology: perhaps from ginger (I) + -ly
: very cautious or tentative
the issue … was handled only in a gingerly way — W.S.White
gingerly footwork suggested house guests trying to decide whether the lawn is too damp for croquet — New Yorker
II. adverb
Etymology: probably from gingerly (I)
: with extreme care concerning the result of a movement or act : very cautiously
tread their way gingerly over the jagged stones — Brian Murtough
gingerly laid the packages down — John Steinbeck
handles the subject gingerly — H.G.Merriam