Kingly \King"ly\, a. [Compar. {Kinglier}; superl. {Kingliest}.]
Belonging to, suitable to, or becoming, a king;
characteristic of, or resembling, a king; directed or
administered by a king; monarchical; royal; sovereign; regal;
august; noble; grand. ``Kingly magnificence.'' --Sir P.
Sidney. ``A kingly government.'' --Swift. ``The kingly
couch.'' --Shak.

The kingliest kings are crowned with thorn. --G.
Massey.

Leave kingly backs to cope with kingly cares. --Cowper.

Syn: Regal; royal; monarchical; imperial; august; sovereign;
noble; splendid.

Usage: {Kingly}, {Regal}. Kingly is Anglo-Saxon, and refers
especially to the character of a king; regal is Latin,
and now relates more to his office. The former is
chiefly used of dispositions, feelings, and purposes
which are kinglike; as, kingly sentiments; kingly
condescension; `` a kingly heart for enterprises.''
--Sir P. Sidney. The latter is oftener applied to
external state, pomp, etc.; as, regal state, regal
title, etc. This distinction is not observed by our
early writers, but is gaining ground.