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The Frozen River,
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Thelma
In Early Modern English (around the 17th century), the word “cleverly” had a different meaning than it does today. When someone said they left someone “cleverly”, they were not referring to intelligence or wit. Instead, it meant something quite different:
Cleverly (adv.):
In good health. For instance, if someone had been ill and was now feeling better, you might say, “She is cleverly now.” (From Bing AI)
Cleverly (adv.):
In good health. For instance, if someone had been ill and was now feeling better, you might say, “She is cleverly now.” (From Bing AI)
Whitney Rancourt
My quick Google search indicated that this meant "in good health" in the colonial era of American history. Abigail Adams uses this word throughout her letters.
Cindy
I posed this very question to the author, but she has not yet responded.
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