I. ˈkīndlē, -li, rapid -nl- adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English cyndelīc, gecyndelīc, from cynd, gecynd kind + -līc -ly — more at kind
1.
a. obsolete : consistent with nature : natural , appropriate
the earth shall sooner leave her kindly skill to bring forth fruit — Edmund Spenser
b. archaic : related by birth or blood : hereditary , legitimate
their kindly possessions which … their predecessors and they had kept — John Spalding
he must be a genuine or kindly son — W.E.Hearn
2. : of an agreeable or beneficial nature : pleasant , favorable
kindly climate
the soil is kindly to my feet — K.M.Dodson
a kindly half century — Sinclair Lewis
two of these periods … were most kindly toward his profession of architect — Times Literary Supplement
3. : kind 2
4.
a. : of a sympathetic or generous nature : friendly , benevolent
was greatly pleased and for that day … more kindly with her — Pearl Buck
benefited greatly from their charity and kindly interest in him — Raymond Holden
homespun, kindly , shrewd men whose strength resided in their neighborliness — Norman Cousins
b. : expressive of a sympathetic nature
kindly look
kindly eye
5. : sea-kindly
Synonyms: see kind
II. adverb
( sometimes -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English cyndelīce, ge cyndelīce, from cyndelīc, ge cyndelīc, adjective
1.
a. : in the normal way : naturally
old wounds which had healed kindly — American Mercury
b. : in a natural way : readily , spontaneously
nearing the three furlongs he … was galloping kindly — Sydney (Australia) Sunday Telegraph
— often used with take to
a wild, fleet-footed people, who did not take kindly to restraint — R.A.Billington
unadorned styles which some audiences take to more kindly than to … polished grace — Robert Bendiner
2.
a. : in a kind manner : sympathetically , generously
treats his horse kindly and never uses spurs
the foundation is not looking kindly upon requests for grants
b. : in an appreciative manner : as a gesture of good will
takes criticism kindly
would take it kindly if you put in a good word for the boy
c. : in a gracious or considerate manner : courteously , obligingly
the party which I was kindly invited to join — Anthony Trollope
the encipherer had kindly divided the words of his message off with commas — Fletcher Pratt
kindly fill out the attached questionnaire
3. chiefly South : in a way : rather
going up the hollow was kindly like going up a big green tunnel — J.H.Stuart