Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for SLY
SLY, a. [G. schlau; Dan. slue. Qu. D. sluik, underhand, privately; sluiken, to smuggle; which seem to be allied to sleek and sleight.]
- Artfully dextrous in performing things secretly, and escaping observation or detection; usually implying some degree of meanness; artfully cunning; applied to persons; as, a sly man or boy.
- Done with artful and dextrous secrecy; as, a sly trick.
- Marked with artful secrecy; as, sly circumspection. – Milton.
- Secret; concealed. Envy works in a sty imperceptible manner. – Watts.
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