ˈdedlɪ adj. & adv. --adj. (deadlier, deadliest) 1 a causing or
able to
cause fatal injury or
serious damage. b poisonous (deadly snake). 2
intense,
extreme (deadly dullness). 3 (of an
aim etc.) extremely
accurate or
effective. 4 deathlike (deadly pale; deadly faintness; deadly gloom). 5 colloq.
dreary,
dull. 6
implacable. --adv. 1 like
death; as if
dead (deadly faint). 2 extremely, intensely (deadly serious). ødeadly
nightshade =
BELLADONNA. deadly sin a sin regarded as leading to
damnation,
esp.
pride, covetousness,
lust,
gluttony,
envy,
anger,
and sloth. øødeadliness n. [OE deadlic, deadlice (as DEAD, -LY(1))]