earthly

From Middle English erthely, erthlich, ierðlich, from Old English eorþlīċ, corresponding to earth +‎ -ly. Cognate with Old Norse jarðligr (“earthly”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈəːθli/

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earthly (comparative earthlier, superlative earthliest)

1. Relating to the earth or this world, as opposed to heaven; terrestrial.

   earthly joys

   • (Can we date this quote?) John Milton

     This earthly load / Of death, called life.

   • (Can we date this quote?) Bible, Phil. iii. 19

     whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things

2. (negative, informal) Used for emphasis
   • (Can we date this quote?) Alexander Pope

     What earthly benefit can be the result?

3. (obsolete) Made of earth; earthy.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Holland to this entry?)

• worldly

earthly (plural earthlies)

1. (Britain, colloquial) A slightest chance (of success etc.) or idea (about something).
   • 1974, GB Edwards, The Book of Ebenezer Le Page, New York 2007, p. 315:

     ‘Then I didn't have a chance when I stood you a drink?’ I said. ‘Not an earthly!’ she said and laughed; but when I left she kissed me good-night.

earthly (comparative more earthly, superlative most earthly)

1. in an earthy manner

• earthly in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• earthly in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• earthly at OneLook Dictionary Search
• Oxford English Dictionary, 1884–1928, and First Supplement, 1933.

• Hartley, hartely, hartley, heartly, hetaryl, lathery