carefully
UK: ˈkeə.fəl.i | US: ˈker.fəl.i
adv. with great attention or caution
adv. in a meticulous or thorough manner
The word "carefully" originates from the Old English "caru" (meaning "sorrow" or "concern"), which evolved into the modern root "care." The suffix "-ful" (from Old English "-full") transforms nouns into adjectives, indicating "full of" (e.g., "careful" = "full of care"). The adverbial suffix "-ly" (from Old English "-līce") converts adjectives into adverbs, yielding "carefully" ("in a manner full of care"). This progression reflects a logical shift from emotional concern to attentive action.
She folded the letter carefully to avoid creasing it.
The surgeon worked carefully to ensure precision.
He drove carefully on the icy road.
Read the instructions carefully before assembling the furniture.
The artist painted the details carefully.