shortly

Etymology

From Middle English schortly, schortliche, from Old English sċortlīċe (“shortly; before long; soon”), equivalent to short + -ly.

adv

  1. In a short or brief time or manner; quickly.
  2. In or after a short time; soon.
  3. In few words
    Ideas are generally expressed more shortly in verse than in prose
  4. In an irritable ("short") manner.
    'Well, I still think it was a rather off-hand way for you—for anyone—to behave,' he said shortly. Suddenly Melody felt trapped—and annoyed. And she didn't like being spoken to like a child, either. 2009, Susanne James, The Millionaire's Chosen Bride, page 147

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