Dodgingly

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. Characterized by the act of evasively avoiding something or someone, often in a skillful manner
2. describing behavior that intentionally sidesteps an obligation or issue while appearing nonchalant
3. pertaining to a method of maneuvering around obstacles or challenges without direct confrontation

Etymology: "Dodgingly" is "dodging" with the adverbial suffix "-ly" added, so it means "in a dodging manner." The "-ly" ending, from Old English "-lice" and related to "like," turns an adjective or participle into an adverb of manner, the same way "quickly" or "boldly" is formed. The base verb "dodge" is the more interesting part: it first appeared in English in the mid-1500s with the sense of tricking or cheating someone, and it moved toward physically sidestepping something only later, through the idea of shifting out of the way. Because "dodgingly" is a regular formation from a common verb rather than a separate coinage, its history is essentially that of "dodge" plus a productive suffix. Its use is uncommon, and it appears mainly in older or more literary writing.

Synonyms: evasively, cautiously, furtively, avoidingly, elusively

Antonyms: directly, openly, frankly, honestly, plainly