the adverb 'squarely' is built upon the adjective 'square', whose geometric sense of having equal sides and right angles evolved metaphorically in english to denote concepts of honesty, directness, and fairness. this metaphorical extension from a physical shape to an abstract quality of character is a common linguistic process. the adverbial suffix '-ly', of germanic origin, is then appended to form a word meaning "in a square manner." consequently, 'squarely' inherits both the literal sense of precise alignment and the figurative sense of dealing with matters in a direct, unequivocal, and honest fashion.

Structure: square (having a right angle; honest, fair) + ly (adverb-forming suffix) - square: from old french 'esquarre', based on latin 'exquadra' (to square), from 'quadrus' (square). functions as the core adjective/root. - ly: from old english '-līc', an adverbial suffix. functions as a derivational suffix forming adverbs.