flatly

flatly
flatly (adv.) early 15c., in a literal sense, from FLAT (Cf. flat) (adj.) + -LY (Cf. -ly) (2). Meaning "in a plain manner" is from 1560s; sense of "in a dull manner" is from 1640s.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Flatly — Flat ly, adv. 1. In a flat manner; evenly; horizontally; without spirit; dully; frigidly. [1913 Webster] He that does the works of religion slowly, flatly, and without appetite. Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster] 2. peremptorily; positively; plainly;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • flatly — flat|ly [ˈflætli] adv 1.) flatly refuse/deny/oppose etc sth to say something in a direct and definite way that is not likely to change ▪ He flatly denied ever having met the woman. 2.) without showing any emotion ▪ Aunt Alicia has changed her… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • flatly — flat|ly [ flætli ] adverb 1. ) in a firm and definite way intended to end discussion of a subject: flatly refuse/deny/reject: He flatly denied being near the scene of the crime. 2. ) without showing any emotion or interest: How can I help you?… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • flatly — adverb 1 flatly refuse/deny/oppose etc to say something in a direct and definite way that is not likely to change: She flatly refused to tell us where he was. 2 without showing any emotion: “Aunt Alicia has changed her will,” she said flatly …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • flatly — UK [ˈflætlɪ] / US adverb 1) in a firm and definite way intended to end discussion of a subject flatly refuse/deny/reject: He flatly denied being near the scene of the crime. 2) without showing any emotion or interest How can I help you? the clerk …   English dictionary

  • flatly — adverb a) In a definite manner; in a manner showing complete certainty. It was an accusation that he flatly denied. b) In a manner that shows no emotion He replied flatly to the policemans questions …   Wiktionary

  • flatly — [ˈflætli] adv 1) in a firm, definite way He flatly denied being near the scene of the crime.[/ex] 2) without showing any emotion or interest ‘How can I help you? the clerk asked flatly.[/ex] …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

  • flatly — flat, flatly The dominant adverbial form flatly is always used figuratively with words of denial and rejection such as contradict, deny, oppose, refuse, and reject. Flat is used in fixed expressions such as flat broke and turn something down flat …   Modern English usage

  • flatly — adv. Flatly is used with these verbs: ↑answer, ↑contradict, ↑declare, ↑deny, ↑disagree, ↑refuse, ↑reject, ↑reply, ↑respond, ↑say, ↑state, ↑tell …   Collocations dictionary

  • flatly — Ⅰ. flat [1] ► ADJECTIVE (flatter, flattest) 1) having a level and even surface. 2) not sloping. 3) with a level surface and little height or depth: a flat cap. 4) (of shoes) without high heels. 5) …   English terms dictionary

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