From Dr Johnson's dictionary

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From Dr Johnson's dictionary Written by Tarn (3/31/2008 3:40 a.m.) in consequence of the missive, L&T question: "Pretty", penned by Delories

(with possible errors in transcription by me)

PRETTILY adv [from pretty] Neatly; elegantly; pleafingly Batem
PRETTINESS f [from pretty] Beauty without dignity More
PRETTY a [prat, finery Saxon; pretts Italian; pret pretigh, Dutch] 1 Neat; elegant Watts 2 Beautiful without grandure or dignity Speculator 3 It is ufed in a kind of diminuitive contempt in poetry, and in conversation Addifen 4 Not very fmall Abbot
PRETTY adv In fome degree Nevten Attebury Baker"

Later editions of Dr Johnson's dictionary clarify the adverb "In some degree this word is used before adverbs or adjectives to intend their signification ; it is less than very, as " pretty well stocked with people"

Later editions also makes sure all the other definitions of PRETTY are emended "Beauty without dignity or elevation" so when you wonder if Mr Elton is given faint praise (in the post below), I think it is exactly so. In the same sense, the word could also be a succinct way of hinting that Harriette is low born, short and endowed with only common sense, all in the one word!

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L&T question: "Pretty" Delories (3/31/2008 2:23 a.m.)

Thank you for asking this because... Moni (3/31/2008 5:14 a.m.)
From Dr Johnson's dictionary Tarn (3/31/2008 3:40 a.m.)

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