deadlier

Variant of deadly

deadly definition

deadly (ded)

adjective deadlier -·lier, deadliest -·li·est

  1. causing death or likely to cause death a deadly poison
  2. to the death; mortal or implacable deadly combat, deadly enemies
  3. typical of death deadly pallor
  4. very harmful; destructive
    1. extreme or excessive deadly silence
    2. out-and-out; utter with deadly gravity
  5. oppressively tiresome a deadly bore
  6. perfectly accurate deadly aim
  7. Theol. causing spiritual death the seven deadly sins

Etymology: ME dedlich < OE deadlic: see dead & -ly

adverb deadlier -·lier, deadliest -·li·est

  1. in a way suggestive of death to lie deadly still
  2. extremely or excessively deadly serious

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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