Hendily

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. Done in a courteous, gracious, or pleasant manner, with good manners and kindness toward others
2. Behaving with polite warmth, as an archaic way of describing gentle and considerate conduct
3. In a kindly, graceful, and well-mannered way, showing courtesy toward the people around one

Etymology: Middle English "hende" descends from Old English "gehende," meaning "near at hand" or "convenient." From that sense of being within reach came the idea of being ready and skilful with one's hands, which is the root behind the modern "handy." The same word also took on a social sense, describing someone courteous, gentle, or well-mannered, as Chaucer uses it. "Hendily," formed by adding the suffix "-ly," carried these senses into manner: to act courteously, gracefully, or deftly. It is mainly recorded in Middle English, and it appears to have fallen out of use by the early modern period, when "handily" and "courteously" largely took over its work.