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Judi asked this question about The Frozen River:
Can someone explain the meaning of the word 'cleverly' as it was used in the midwife's notes several times? She often ended the note with "I left her cleverly and went on . . ."
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…moreIn 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)(less)
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The Frozen River
by Ariel Lawhon (Goodreads Author)
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