sportfully

The more nimble at that exercise sometimes sportfully challenges those who are more slow and heavy; but the old man who presides hinders the raillery from being carried to any excess, carefully avoiding all subjects of quarrel and dispute, on which account doubtless it is that they will never suffer them to wrestle.

History of Louisisana Or of the Western Parts of Virginia and Carolina: Containing -1775 Le Page du Pratz

The boy stands astonished, his impressions guide him; he learns sportfully, seriousness comes on him by surprise.

Chapter IX. Book VII 1917

Oh, yes, the gush of spring is strong enough to toss the globe of earth like a ball on a water-jet dancing sportfully; as you see a tiny celluloid ball tossing on a squint of water for men to shoot at, penny-a-time, in a booth at a fair.

Look! We Have Come Through! 1907

Rovers, "he sportfully satirized the romantic drama of Schiller," The

William Pitt and the Great War John Holland Rose 1898

For the purpose of the present inquiry I also omit all the rites of leaping sportfully, and of driving cattle through light fires.

Modern Mythology Andrew Lang 1878

I was in the mood when one tries sportfully to deceive one's self as to the depth and intensity of the emotion within.

Aylwin Theodore Watts-Dunton 1873

But tell me, since they bit thee not, but sportfully licked thee, what harm? '

The Cloister and the Hearth Charles Reade 1849