grimly

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡɹɪmli/

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From Middle English grymly, grimlich, from Old English grimmliċ, corresponding to grim +‎ -ly. Compare grimlike.

grimly (comparative grimlier, superlative grimliest)

1. (rare) Grim-looking, grim-natured.
   • 1863, Sheridan Le Fanu, The House by the Churchyard

     To hear her rant, one would have supposed, who had not seen him, that her lank-haired, grimly partner, was the prettiest youth in the county of Dublin, and that all the comely lasses in Chapelizod and the country round were sighing and setting caps at him […]

   • 1973, Kyril Bonfiglioli, Don't Point That Thing at Me, Penguin (2001), page 94:

     In reality it was the most terrifying sight I had seen to date: two fried eggs decorated with ketchup, Tabasco and chopped chillis in the semblance of a pair of bloodshot eyes – I would as soon have eaten my own leg. I waved the grimly thing away.

• grimliness

From Middle English grymly, grimliche, from Old English grimlīċe, equivalent to grim +‎ -ly. Cognate with Icelandic grimmliga.

grimly (comparative more grimly, superlative most grimly)

1. In a grim manner.

• grisly (obsolete)