kindliest

1 definition found

kindliest - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Kindly \Kind"ly\ (k[imac]nd"l[y^]), a. [Compar. Kindlier
     (k[imac]nd"l[i^]*[~e]r); superl. Kindliest.] [AS. cyndelic.
     See Kind, n. ]
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     1. According to the kind or nature; natural. [R.]
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              The kindly fruits of the earth.       --Book of Com.
                                                    Prayer.
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              An herd of bulls whom kindly rage doth sting.
                                                    --Spenser.
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              Whatsoever as the Son of God he may do, it is kindly
              for
              Him as the Son of Man to save the sons of men. --L.
                                                    Andrews.
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     2. Humane; congenial; sympathetic; hence, disposed to do good
        to; benevolent; gracious; kind; helpful; as, kindly
        affections, words, acts, etc.
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              The shade by which my life was crossed, . . .
              Has made me kindly with my kind.      --Tennyson.
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     3. Favorable; mild; gentle; auspicious; beneficent.
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              In soft silence shed the kindly shower. --Pope.
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              Should e'er a kindlier time ensue.    --Wordsworth.
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     Note: "Nothing ethical was connoted in kindly once: it was
           simply the adjective of kind. But it is God's ordinance
           that kind should be kindly, in our modern sense of the
           word as well; and thus the word has attained this
           meaning." --Trench.
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