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. [ 1913 Webster ]
The kingliest kings are crowned with thorn. G. Massey. [ 1913 Webster ]
Leave kingly backs to cope with kingly cares. Cowper.
Syn. -- Regal; royal; monarchical; imperial; august; sovereign; noble; splendid. -- 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. [ 1913 Webster ]