Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Softly \Soft"ly\, adv.
   In a soft manner.

Source : WordNet®

softly
     adv 1: with low volume; "speak softly but carry a big stick"; "she
            spoke quietly to the child"; "the radio was playing
            softly" [syn: {quietly}] [ant: {loudly}]
     2: in a manner that is pleasing to the senses; "she smiled
        softly"
     3: with little weight or force; "she kissed him lightly on the
        forehead" [syn: {lightly}, {gently}]
     4: used as a direction in music; to be played relatively softly
        [syn: {piano}] [ant: {forte}]