ferly

Scots

Alternative forms

• ferlie

Etymology

From Middle English fērlī (“astonishing, surprising, unexpected”), from Old English fǣrliċ (“sudden, unexpected”), equivalent to fear +‎ -ly.

Noun

ferly (uncountable)

1. (obsolete) astonishment, surprise, wonder
   • 1893, George MacDonald, Heather and Snow:

     “Weel, lassie, I reckon that wasna ony ferly (strange occurrence)!

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

Adjective

ferly (not comparable)

1. (obsolete) unexpected, amazing

   Seems ferly fair to all admiring orbs...

   (please add an English translation of this usage example)

   • 1888, Richard Francis Burton, Arabian Nights, volume XV, page 113:

Verb

ferly (third-person singular simple present ferlys, present participle ferlyin, simple past ferlyt, past participle ferlyt)

1. (obsolete) to wonder, marvel, be surprised