portly — having a stout body; somewhat fat
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: having a stout body; somewhat fat
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈpɔːrtli/
Example Sentences
- The portly chef couldn't resist tasting his own delicious cooking.
- Santa Claus is famously portly, which helps him look jolly and friendly.
- The portly professor always wore oversized sweaters to hide his belly.
portly
ADJECTIVE[/ˈpɔːrtli/]
having a stout body; somewhat fat
having a stout body; somewhat fat
The portly lord tried courtly manners, but failed shortly!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Portly derives from the Latin root 'portus' or 'porta', related to 'portare' (to carry, bear), which evolved through Old French 'port' meaning bearing, carriage, or demeanor. Originally describing dignified and stately appearance or bearing, the term gradually shifted to denote corpulence, as a portly bearing became associated with a substantial, heavy-set physique.
Breakdown
port- (bearing, carriage, from Latin portare meaning to carry) + -ly (adjective suffix indicating quality or manner of being). The morpheme 'port' retains its sense of outward appearance or physical bearing.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The portly chef couldn't resist tasting his own delicious cooking.”
“Santa Claus is famously portly, which helps him look jolly and friendly.”
“The portly professor always wore oversized sweaters to hide his belly.”
“Despite being portly, he was surprisingly agile on the dance floor.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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