Hard"ly (?), adv. [AS.heardlice. See Hand.]
1.
In a hard or difficult manner; with difficulty.
Recovering hardly what he lost before.
Dryden.
2.
Unwillingly; grudgingly.
The House of Peers gave so hardly thei consent.
Milton.
3.
Scarcely; barely; not guite; not wholly.
Hardly shall you one so bad, but he desires the credit of being thought good.
South.
4.
Severely; harshly; roughly.
He has in many things been hardly used.
Swift.
5.
Confidently; hardily.
[Obs.]
Holland.
6.
Certainly; surely; indeed.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
© Webster 1913.