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# softly

«softly» in Mova's judaism dictionary: **quietly, not loudly** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 5 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

### part of speech

adverb

### meaning for a pupil

1) Softly means quietly, not loudly. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/softly/#m1)

2) Softly means gently, with little force. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/softly/#m2)

3) Softly can mean in a kind, tender way. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/softly/#m3)

### sense in the lessons

In the Tanakh and Jewish tradition: It can mean gently or quietly, as with the slow waters of Shiloah or Ruth's quiet approach to Boaz. Interpretation: Isaiah makes the soft waters of Shiloah stand for God's gentle rule, which Judah refused. Ruth's quiet step shows her modesty and care. In the primary lessons: In stories it tells the reader that a sound is quiet or an action is gentle, often to show care, calm, secrecy or a sleeping person: «she spoke softly», «snow fell softly». In music and drama it tells you how to perform. Phrases: «speak softly», «softly, softly», «tread softly», «close the door softly».

### examples

- Forasmuch as this people hath refused the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoiceth with Rezin and Remaliah's son; (Prophets ISA.8.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/softly/#x1)
- He hath both spoken unto me, and Himself hath done it; I shall go softly all my years for the bitterness of my soul. (Prophets ISA.38.15, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/softly/#x2)
- And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn; and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. (Writings RUT.3.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/softly/#x3)
- Please speak softly; the baby is asleep. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/softly/#x4)
- Snow fell softly on the roofs. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/softly/#x5)
- She closed the door softly behind her. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/softly/#x6)
- The music played softly in the background. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/softly/#x7)
- He softly stroked the kitten. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/softly/#x8)
- The wind blew softly through the trees. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/softly/#x9)
- "It's all right," Grandma said softly. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/softly/#x10)
- Tiptoe softly so you don't wake anyone. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/softly/#x11)
- She answered softly, “Yes, dear Beast.” [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/softly/#x12)

### note

Adverb from «soft» + -ly. The opposite is «loudly» (for sound) or «roughly/hard» (for touch). Note the «t» is often silent: «sof-ly».

### In the corpora

- [Forasmuch as this people hath refused the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoiceth with Rezin and Remaliah's son;](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/neviim/jps/ISA.168/)
- [Approach a horse from the side, near its shoulder, and talk softly as you come.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/28-farm-animals-and-horses/9/)
- [Animals feel safe with calm people who move slowly and speak softly.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/72-keeping-garden-wildlife-safe/12/)
- [Small animals are easily frightened, because to them we are huge; they feel safe with people who move slowly and speak softly.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/207-kindness-to-animals/2/)
- [With small animals you always move slowly and speak softly.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/207-kindness-to-animals/8/)

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «softly» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/softly/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.