comely

• cumlie, comly (obsolete)

From Middle English comly, cumly, cumlich, from Old English cymlīċ, cȳmlīċ (compare Old English cȳme (“fine, exquisite”), from Proto-Germanic *kūmiz (“delicate”)), from Proto-Germanic *kūmalīkaz (“pitiful, dear”). Cognate with Middle Dutch komlick, komelick, Middle High German komelīh, gomelīh.

• IPA^(key): /ˈkʌmli/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

comely (comparative comelier or more comely, superlative comeliest or most comely)

1. (dated, of a person) Pleasing or attractive to the eye.

   Synonym: pulchritudinous

   Antonym: homely (of a person)

   • 1571, Roger Ascham, Toxophilus, the Schole, or Partitions, of Shooting. Contayned in II Bookes. […], imprinted at London, […]: By Thomas Marshe, OCLC 932903701; republished in The English Works of Roger Ascham, […], London: Printed for R[obert] and J[ames] Dodsley, […], and J[ohn] Newbery, […], 1761, OCLC 642424485, book 2, page 162:

     In ſhootinge at the prickes, haſtye and quicke drawinge is neyther ſure nor yet comely.

   • (Can we date this quote?) South

     He that is comely when old and decrepit, surely was very beautiful when he was young.

   • (Can we date this quote?) John Milton

     Not once perceive their foul disfigurement / But boast themselves more comely than before.

   • 1918, Edgar Rice Burroughs, chapter IX, in The Land That Time Forgot:

     The chief's name was To-jo, and his household consisted of seven females and himself. These women were much more comely, or rather less hideous than those of Tsa's people; one of them, even, was almost pretty, being less hairy and having a rather nice skin, with high coloring.

2. (archaic) Suitable or becoming; proper; agreeable.
   • (Can we date this quote?) William Shakespeare

     This is a happier and more comely time / Than when these fellows ran about the streets, / Crying confusion.

   • (Can we date this quote?) Bible, Psalms cxlvii. 1

     It is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.

• comeliness

• Comley