Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Masterly
Mas′ter-ly
,Adj.
1.
Suitable to, or characteristic of, a master; indicating thorough knowledge or superior skill and power; showing a master’s hand;
“A wise and masterly inactivity.” as, a
masterly
design; a masterly
performance; a masterly
policy. Sir J. Mackintosh.
2.
Imperious; domineering; arbitrary.
Mas′ter-ly
,adv.
With the skill of a master.
Thou dost speak
masterly
. Shakespeare
Webster 1828 Edition
Masterly
M`ASTERLY
,Adj.
1.
Imperious.M`ASTERLY
,adv.
Thou dost speak masterly.
'I think it very masterly written,' in Swift, is improper or unusual.