goodly

adjective (goodly, goodlier, goodliest — old-fashioned)

«goodly» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition and Early Modern English — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

Everyday

(old-fashioned) A goodly amount means quite a large amount. tree →
(old, Bible) Goodly means good-looking, fine or pleasant. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life today, people mostly use it in the phrase «a goodly number» or «a goodly sum», often with a smile because it sounds old. In the Bible and old stories, a goodly land or goodly person means a fine, beautiful one. It tells the reader the writing has an old-fashioned voice.

Examples

A goodly crowd turned up for the school fair. tree →
Grandpa saved a goodly sum for his holiday. tree →
We waited a goodly while for the bus. tree →
(Bible) «I have a goodly heritage.» tree →
In the old tale, the prince rode to a goodly castle. tree →
The cake was a goodly size. tree →
A nobleman went hunting one autumn, and with him went a goodly train of huntsmen. tree →

Note

It looks like an adverb because of -ly, but it is an adjective: «a goodly amount». Not used much in everyday speech; «a good amount» or «quite a lot» is more usual.

In Jewish tradition

In these texts it means fine, beautiful or pleasant to look at.

Interpretation. "How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob" was said by Balaam. It is one of the best-known verses and opens the morning prayers in many synagogues. Tradition reads it as praise for the modesty of Israel's homes and for their houses of study.

Examples

Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words. (Torah GEN.49.21, JPS 1917) tree →
How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, thy dwellings, O Israel! (Torah NUM.24.5, JPS 1917) tree →
lest when thou hast eaten and art satisfied, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; (Torah DEU.8.12, JPS 1917) tree →
Now he was ruddy, and withal of beautiful eyes, and goodly to look upon. (Prophets 1SA.16.12, JPS 1917) tree →
The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. (Writings PSA.16.6, JPS 1917) tree →
Thine ointments have a goodly fragrance; thy name is as ointment poured forth; therefore do the maidens love thee. (Writings SNG.1.3, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

It looks like an adverb because of -ly, but it is an adjective: «a goodly amount». Not used much in everyday speech; «a good amount» or «quite a lot» is more usual.

Early Modern English

Meaning

fine, handsome or pleasing to see. tree →

Then and now

Today it is old-fashioned, mostly meaning quite large as in 'a goodly amount'; here it means fine or pleasing.

Examples

Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words. (Torah GEN.49.21, JPS 1917) tree →
The garden bloomed with a goodly show of the fairest roses. (Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen) tree →
How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, thy dwellings, O Israel! (Torah NUM.24.5, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Today: fine, handsome.

On Mova

Trees and pragmatics of «goodly» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«goodly» in the school dictionary on Mova free.
Trees and pragmatics of «goodly» in the Judaism dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«goodly» in the Judaism dictionary on Mova free.
Trees and pragmatics of «goodly» in the Early Modern English dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«goodly» in the Early Modern English dictionary on Mova free.

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