Etymology
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sightly (adj.)

1530s, "visible" (a sense now obsolete); 1560s, "pleasing to the sight," from sight (n.) + -ly (1).

Compare German sichtlich. Middle English sightlie is attested from mid-15c. but only in the sense "visible;" unsightly is attested in Middle English only as an adverb meaning "invisibly" (late 15c.). Middle English also had unsighty "difficult or displeasing to look at" (early 15c., from sighty (late 14c.) "visible, conspicuous; bright, shining; attractive, handsome;" c. 1400 as "keen-sighted;" mid-15c. as "discerning" (compare German sichtig "visible").

updated on October 07, 2022

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