1. With little or no success; with little growth, profit or advantage; as, wheat grows poorly on the Atlantic borders of New England; these men have succeeded poorly in business.
2. Meanly; without spirit.
Nor is their courage or their wealth so low,
That from his wars they poorly would retire.
3. Without excellence or dignity. He performs poorly in elevated characters.
, a. Somewhat ill; indisposed; not in health; a common use of the word in America.
For three or four weeks past I have lost ground, having been poorly in health.