Gingerly
/ˈdʒɪn.dʒər.li/noun
In a careful, cautious, or delicate manner.
Did you know?The word likely rose from the adjective *ginger*, because ginger was associated with a lively, prickly quality, and the adverb *gingerly* developed in English to mean doing something with careful, delicate caution.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
gengra
“later, after, in succession”
Middle English
ME
ginger
“the spicy root used as a seasoning”
14th-15th Century
English
gingerly
“in a sprightly, lively manner; later, cautiously or delicately”
Modern English
English
gingerly
“carefully, cautiously, or with delicate precision”
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