deathly
Meaning
extremely pale, ill, or quiet, like death
causing or capable of causing death; deadly
in a way that suggests death
to an extreme degree; very
Structure
Usage
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.
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
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').