Archly vs. Archy — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Archly and Archy

Chief; principal

Their arch foe.

Resembling an arch; having arches; arched; arching

Archy brows

Mischievous; roguish

"She ... was arch enough to inform the queen whenever I committed any folly that she thought would be diverting to her majesty" (Jonathan Swift).

A political theory or practice that supports hierarchy and authority; the opposite of anarchy.

Teasing, ironic, or sardonic

"I know, Edy Boardman said none too amiably with an arch glance from her shortsighted eyes. I know who is Tommy's sweetheart" (James Joyce).

Arched; as, archy brows.

In an arch manner; slyly.

A suffix properly meaning a rule, ruling, as in monarchy, the rule of one only. Cf. -arch.

In an arch manner; with attractive slyness or roguishness; slyly; waggishly.

Archly the maiden smiled.

With playful slyness or roguishness