deathly
UK[ˈdeθli]US[ˈdeθli]
adj
extremely pale, ill, or quiet, like death
adj
causing or capable of causing death; deadly
adv
in a way that suggests death
adv
to an extreme degree; very
Morpheme Breakdown
death
ly
death
the end of life
ly
adjective/adverb suffix
Etymology
the word 'deathly' is a transparent english compound formed from the native germanic noun 'death' and the productive suffix '-ly'. the old english noun 'dēaþ' stems from the proto-germanic root 'dauþuz', which is itself derived from the proto-indo-European verbal root 'dheu-', meaning 'to die'. the suffix '-ly', originating from old english '-līc' meaning 'body, form', evolved to signify 'having the form or character of'. therefore, 'deathly' literally means 'having the qualities or appearance of death', a meaning that has remained consistent from its formation in middle english to its modern usage describing a profound resemblance to or association with death.
Analysis
Structure: death (the end of life) + ly (adjective/adverb suffix)
death (from old english 'dēaþ', meaning the end of life, from proto-germanic 'dauþuz') + ly (from old english '-līc', an adjective-forming suffix meaning 'having the qualities of', from proto-germanic '-līkaz').
Examples
a deathly silence fell over the room after the announcement.
her face was deathly pale from the shock.
he was deathly afraid of heights and refused to go near the edge.