[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/idly/)

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# idly

adverb (from idle)

«idly» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. In a lazy way, doing nothing useful. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idly/#m1)
2. In a dreamy, careless way, without real purpose, as when thoughts drift. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idly/#m2)

### In the lessons

in tales, a character sits or speaks without much purpose, sometimes wondering aloud

### Examples

- The boy sat idly on the wall. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idly/#x1)
- «Why are you lying there idly?» she asked. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idly/#x2)
- She idly picked at the grass while she thought. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idly/#x3)

### Note

nothing for maths.

## In Jewish tradition

In the law it means standing by and doing nothing while a neighbour's life is in danger.

**Interpretation.** The rabbis read this verse as a duty to help rescue someone whose life is at risk. It is one of the sources for the duty to save life.

### Examples

- Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people; neither shalt thou stand idly by the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD. (Torah LEV.19.16, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/I/idly/#x1)

### Note

nothing for maths.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «idly» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idly/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«idly» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/idly.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «idly» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/I/idly/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«idly» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/idly.html) on Mova free.