cleverly

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

"This is much used in some parts of New England instead of well or very well. In answer to the common salutation, How do you do? we often hear, I am cleverly. It is also applied to other things, as well as to health, and means either adroitly or exactly; according to the case."--Pickering. It is also used in the sense of fairly, completely. Dr. Johnson's definition is dextrously, fitly, handsomely.


The landlord comes to me, as soon as I was cleverly up this morning, looking full of importance.--Sam Slick in England, ch. 8.

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