— burlily , adv. — burliness , n.
/berr"lee/ , adj., burlier, burliest .
1. large in bodily size; stout; sturdy.
2. bluff; brusque.
[ 1250-1300; ME borli, burli, OE borlice (adv.) excellently, equiv. to bor ( a ) ruler + -lice -LY ]
Syn. 1. strapping, stocky, brawny, thickset, beefy, hefty.
Ant. 1. puny, weak, frail.