SOFT'LY, adverb 1. Without hardness. 2. Not with force or violence; gently; as, be softly pressed my hand. 3. Not loudly; without noise; as, speak softly; walk softly In this dark silence softly leave the town. 4. Gently; placidly. She softly lays him on a flowery bed. 5. Mildly; tenderly. The king must die; though pity softly pleads within my soul.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI