Humanly

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /ˈhjuːmənli/

Definitions

1. In a manner that relates to human capabilities and traits
2. Performed or done in a manner typical of humans
3. Acted upon or expressed following human nature or characteristics

Etymology: "Humanly" is a case of two words that once shared a spelling and a sense. In Middle English, "human" and "humane" were not yet distinct: both could mean the ordinary qualities of people, and "humanly" could carry either idea. The two words only separated later, with "humane" taking on the sense of kindness and compassion, so that "humanely" now covers that meaning while "humanly" keeps the sense of what is characteristic of people. The adverb is built from "human" plus the suffix "-ly," which turns an adjective into an adverb of manner. A second, older line also feeds into it: a single Middle English use, spelled "humaynly," is modelled on a Middle Dutch word meaning "characteristic of human nature," showing that the idea of human-ness as a quality of conduct was already being expressed in the vernacular before the adverb settled into its modern form.

Synonyms: mortally, earthly

Antonyms: divinely