Wardly

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. Relating to or concerning a ward, a division or area within a hospital, institution, or city
2. Characterizing the duties or responsibilities associated with managing a ward
3. Pertaining to the conduct or behavior expected within a designated ward context

Etymology: Before it meant anything about hospitals or city districts, "ward" meant simply "a watching over," the act of guarding. It descends from Old English "weard," "guardian" or "watchman," and it is related to "guard" and "warden," which reached English through Old French and carry the same idea of keeping watch. Its modern senses grew out of that: a ward is a person under a guardian's care, or a section of a building or town placed under a particular watch. The ending "-ly" comes from Old English "-lic," meaning "having the form of" or "resembling," which gave English "manly" and "lovely." Attaching it to "ward" yields an adverb describing something done in the manner of, or with regard to, a ward. Because the formation is transparent and rarely used, it is not found in most general dictionaries.

Synonyms: protectively, defensively, guardedly, watchfully, cautiously

Antonyms: recklessly, carelessly, negligently, unprotectedly