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Webster 1913 Edition


Shortly

Short′ly

,
adv.
[AS.
sceortlice
.]
1.
In a short or brief time or manner; soon; quickly.
Chaucer.
I shall grow jealous of you
shortly
.
Shakespeare
The armies came
shortly
in view of each other.
Clarendon.
2.
In few words; briefly; abruptly; curtly;
as, to express ideas more
shortly
in verse than in prose
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Shortly

SHORT'LY

,
adv.
1. Quickly; soon; in a little time.
The armies came shortly in view of each other. Clarendon.
2. In a few words; briefly; as, to express ideas more shortly in verse than in prose.

Definition 2024


shortly

shortly

English

Adverb

shortly (not comparable)

  1. In a short or brief time or manner; quickly.
  2. In or after a short time; soon.
    • 1898, Winston Churchill, chapter 4, in The Celebrity:
      No matter how early I came down, I would find him on the veranda, smoking cigarettes, or otherwise his man would be there with a message to say that his master would shortly join me if I would kindly wait.
  3. In few words; briefly; abruptly; curtly; as, to express ideas more shortly in verse than in prose.
  4. In an irritable ("short") manner.
    • 2009, Susanne James, The Millionaire's Chosen Bride (page 147)
      'Well, I still think it was a rather off-hand way for you—for anyone—to behave,' he said shortly.
      Suddenly Melody felt trapped—and annoyed. And she didn't like being spoken to like a child, either.

Translations


Middle English

Adverb

shortly

  1. shortly (in a short period of time)
    • 14th Century, Chaucer, General Prologue
      Now have I toold you shortly in a clause
      Now that I have briefly told you above