Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Kingly \King"ly\, a. [Compar. {Kinglier}; superl. {Kingliest}.]
   Belonging to, suitable to, or becoming, a king;
   characteristic of, 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.