shortly

adv

Etymology: From Middle English schortly, schortliche, from Old English sċortlīċe (“shortly; before long; soon”), equivalent to short + -ly.

1. In a short or brief time or manner; quickly.

   “[…] his two ill-conditioned, canine favorites, which sat shivering before the smoky little fire, barking shortly and sharply now and then, by way of hinting for some slight refreshment.”

2. In or after a short time; soon.

   “The past perfect progressive is used for actions and situations which had continued up to a past moment or shortly before it.”

   “No matter how early I came down, I would find him on the veranda, smoking cigarettes, or otherwise his man would be there with a message to say that his master would shortly join me if I would kindly wait.”

3. In few words.

   “Ideas are generally expressed more shortly in verse than in prose”

   “We shall not describe this tragical scene too fully; but we thought ourselves obliged, by that historic integrity which we profess, shortly to hint a matter which we would otherwise have been glad to have spared.”

4. In an irritable ("short") manner.

   “"Stop interrupting me, will ya?" she said shortly.”

   “'Well, I still think it was a rather off-hand way for you—for anyone—to behave,' he said shortly. Suddenly Melody felt trapped—and annoyed. And she didn't like being spoken to like a child, either.”