Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PRET-TY, adv. [prit'ty.]

In some degree; tolerably; moderately; as, a farm pretty well stocked; the colors became pretty vivid; I am pretty sure of the fact; the wind is pretty fair. The English farthing is pretty near the value of the American cent. In these and similar phrases, pretty expresses less than very. The writer pretty plainly professes himself a sincere Christian. – Atterbury.