softly
part of speech
adverb
meaning for a pupil
1) Softly means quietly, not loudly. tree →
2) Softly means gently, with little force. tree →
3) Softly can mean in a kind, tender way. tree →
sense in the lessons
In the Tanakh and Jewish tradition: It can mean gently or quietly, as with the slow waters of Shiloah or Ruth's quiet approach to Boaz. Interpretation: Isaiah makes the soft waters of Shiloah stand for God's gentle rule, which Judah refused. Ruth's quiet step shows her modesty and care. In the primary lessons: In stories it tells the reader that a sound is quiet or an action is gentle, often to show care, calm, secrecy or a sleeping person: «she spoke softly», «snow fell softly». In music and drama it tells you how to perform. Phrases: «speak softly», «softly, softly», «tread softly», «close the door softly».
examples
- Forasmuch as this people hath refused the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoiceth with Rezin and Remaliah's son; (Prophets ISA.8.6, JPS 1917) tree →
- He hath both spoken unto me, and Himself hath done it; I shall go softly all my years for the bitterness of my soul. (Prophets ISA.38.15, JPS 1917) tree →
- And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn; and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. (Writings RUT.3.7, JPS 1917) tree →
- Please speak softly; the baby is asleep. tree →
- Snow fell softly on the roofs. tree →
- She closed the door softly behind her. tree →
- The music played softly in the background. tree →
- He softly stroked the kitten. tree →
- The wind blew softly through the trees. tree →
- "It's all right," Grandma said softly. tree →
- Tiptoe softly so you don't wake anyone. tree →
- She answered softly, “Yes, dear Beast.” tree →
note
Adverb from «soft» + -ly. The opposite is «loudly» (for sound) or «roughly/hard» (for touch). Note the «t» is often silent: «sof-ly».
In the corpora
- Forasmuch as this people hath refused the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoiceth with Rezin and Remaliah's son;
- Approach a horse from the side, near its shoulder, and talk softly as you come.
- Animals feel safe with calm people who move slowly and speak softly.
- Small animals are easily frightened, because to them we are huge; they feel safe with people who move slowly and speak softly.
- With small animals you always move slowly and speak softly.
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «softly» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.