1. a suffix forming adverbs from adjectives: gladly; gradually; secondly.
2. a suffix meaning "every," attached to certain nouns denoting units of time: hourly; daily.
3. an adjective suffix meaning "-like": saintly; cowardly.
[ (adv.) ME -li, -lich ( e ), OE -lice ( -lic adj. suffix + -e adv. suffix); (adj.) ME -li, -ly, -lich ( e ), OE -lic (c. G -lich ), suffixal use of gelic LIKE 1 ]
Syn. 3. See -ish 1 .