What is "manliest"

Manly \Man"ly\, a. [Compar. Manlier; superl. Manliest.] [Man + -ly. Cf. Manlike.] Having qualities becoming to a man; not childish or womanish; manlike, esp. brave, courageous, resolute, noble.

Let's briefly put on manly readiness.
--Shak.

Serene and manly, hardened to sustain The load of life.
--Dryden.

Syn: Bold; daring; brave; courageous; firm; undaunted; hardy; dignified; stately.

a. (en-superlativemanly)

1. adj. possessing qualities befitting a man [syn: manful, manlike] [ant: unmanly]

2. characteristic of a man; "a deep male voice"; "manly sports" [syn: male, manful, manlike, virile]

3. adv. in a manful manner; with qualities thought to befit a man; "having said her say Peggy manfully shouldered her burden and prepared to break up yet another home" [syn: manfully] [ant: unmanfully]

4. [also: manliest, manlier]

See manly