gingerly Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite with extreme care or delicacy
    • they proceeded with gingerly footwork over the jagged stones
    • the issue was handled only in a gingerly way"- W.S.White
  2. adverb in a gingerly manner
    • gingerly I raised the edge of the blanket

WordNet

Gin"ger*ly adverb
Etymology
Prov. E. ginger brittle, tender; cf. dial. Sw. gingla, gängla, to go gently, totter, akin to E. gang.
Definitions
  1. Cautiously; timidly; fastidiously; daintily.
    What is't that you took up so gingerly ? Shak.

Webster 1913