Literary notes about doucely (AI summary)
In literature, "doucely" is often employed to convey a sense of gentleness, moderation, and decorum in both behavior and appearance. It can accentuate the calm manner in which a character acts or departs, as when one character "glided doucely away" [1] or was described as "behaving doucely" [2, 3]. The term also extends to describing attire and conduct that are unassuming yet refined, as in a "layman, doucely dressed in grey" [4] and in resolving matters "doucely" [5]. Moreover, its use alongside terms denoting restraint and careful composure, such as being "decorously and doucely" responsive [6] or "doucely and calmly" acting [7], imbues textual atmospheres with a subtle, measured elegance, enriching character portrayals and narrative tone [8, 9].
- He bestowed a paternal kiss on her brow, and glided doucely away before she could possibly cry again.
— from A Simpleton by Charles Reade - "Annie behaves doucely," was honest Wullie's comment after returning home.
— from Honest Wullie; and Effie Patterson's Story by Lydia L. Rouse - George was a peaceable man, My wife she did doucely behave; But now dae a' that I can, She 's just as wild as the lave.
— from The Modern Scottish Minstrel, Volume 1.
The Songs of Scotland of the Past Half Century - Before he reached Laval he had made the accustomed transformation, and it was no priest, but a layman, doucely dressed in grey, that awaited Mme.
— from A Book of Scoundrels by Charles Whibley - “Noo, my laddie, let’s hae a’ this bet o’ besness settled doucely.
— from Three Boys; Or, The Chiefs of the Clan Mackhai by George Manville Fenn - She is a well-faur'd lassie as ony i' the realm, and answers decorously and doucely.
— from The Lancashire Witches: A Romance of Pendle Forest by William Harrison Ainsworth - Not dishonestly, mind you, nor violently, nor rudely, but doucely and calmly.
— from A Simpleton by Charles Reade - Syne o'er a glass o' Cameron Brig, [13] A nightcap we would doucely swig, Laughing at Conservative and Whig,
— from Poems on Golf - "Deil a fear o' ye," muttered Jean Gordon; "ye'll lie doucely and quietly in your bed till Jean gies ye leave to rise—tenth or no tenth!"
— from Lochinvar: A Novel by S. R. (Samuel Rutherford) Crockett