Advertisement
hardly (adv.)
c. 1200, "in a hard manner, with great exertion or effort," from Old English heardlice "sternly, severely, harshly; bravely; excessively" (see hard (adj.) + -ly (2)). Hence "assuredly, certainly" (early 14c.). Main modern sense of "barely, just" (1540s) reverses this, via the intermediate meaning "not easily, with trouble" (early 15c.). Formerly with superficial negative (not hardly). Similar formation in Old Saxon hardliko, German härtlich, Old Danish haardelig.
Others are reading
Advertisement
Definitions of hardly from WordNet
Dictionary entries near hardly
hard-fought
hard-headed
hard-hearted
hardihood
hard-line
hardly
hardness
hard-nosed
hard-on
hardscrabble
hard-shell