softly

Etymology

From Middle English softely, softeliche, equivalent to soft + -ly.

adv

1. In a soft manner; gently.
   The masseuse was rubbing my back too softly for my liking, so I asked her to go harder.
   He had married a lady well educated and softly nurtured, but not dowered with worldly wealth. […] They would give up ideas of gentle living, of soft raiment, and delicate feeding. 1861, Anthony Trollope, Framley Parsonage
2. Not loudly; nearly inaudibly.
   whisper softly in someone's ear
   play music softly