Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “rightly” come from?

Rightly derives from Middle English -ly (adverbial suffix) attached to Middle English right, from Old English riht, tracing through Proto-Indo-European h₃reǵtós, līg-, and ḱóm.

rightly (English): In a right manner, correctly, justifiably

Definitions

  1. In a right manner, correctly, justifiably

Ancestry of “rightly”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishrightStraight, not bent; Of an angle, having a size of...
2Middle EnglishrightA good deed, right action; A just or equitable...
3Old Englishrihtstraight; right, true, correct; rightful,...
4Proto-West Germanicrehtstraight; right, correct; morally upright, just
5Proto-Germanicrehtazright, straight; morally upright, just
6Proto-Indo-Europeanh₃reǵtósstraightened, right, upright
7Proto-Indo-Europeanh₃reǵ-to straighten, to right oneself; right; just
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₃reǵ- →