Burely

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. In a manner that is heavily built, strong, and sturdy, like a large muscular person
2. Done in a stout, broad-shouldered, robust way that suggests great physical strength
3. With the bulky, powerful bearing of someone who is big and well muscled

Etymology: "Burely" is an old spelling of "burly," and the older sense is a surprise. The root is Old English "gebyrlic," meaning "becoming" or "fitting," from the verb "gebyrian," "to belong to or befit." A burly person was once someone of seemly, dignified bearing, the kind of figure who looked fitting for a noble or important role. The meaning then drifted from manners to body. Over time the word shifted from describing a stately, imposing presence to describing a large, solidly built frame. Some dictionaries record "burely" as a variant form, but its exact spelling history is uncertain, so the "burly" form is the one to trust.