the word 'tautly' is built upon the adjective 'taut,' which entered middle english likely from old norse, a language that contributed many maritime terms to english. the old norse word 'tog,' meaning a pull or a tug, is the probable source, reflecting a literal sense of being pulled tight, as on a ship's rigging. the adverbial suffix '-ly' is a native english element from old english, used to convert adjectives into adverbs, describing the manner of an action. therefore, 'tautly' literally means 'in a tight or tense manner,' a meaning that has extended from describing physical tightness to emotional or atmospheric tension.

Structure: taut (tight) + ly (adverb suffix) taut: origin middle english toght, probably of scandinavian origin; related to old norse tog (a pull, a tug). functional role: root adjective meaning tight or stretched. ly: origin old english -līc (having the form or qualities of), from proto-germanic -līkaz. functional role: suffix forming adverbs from adjectives.