1. (

• softly ,
• quietly

) with low volume; "speak softly but carry a big stick"; "she spoke quietly to the child"; "the radio was playing softly" ;

2. (

• quietly ,

) with little or no sound; "the class was listening quietly and intently"; "she was crying quietly" ;

3. (

• quietly ,
• quiet

) with little or no activity or no agitation (`quiet' is a nonstandard variant for `quietly'); "her hands rested quietly in her lap"; "the rock star was quietly led out the back door"; "sit here as quiet as you can" ;

4. (

• restfully ,
• quietly ,

) in a restful manner; "the streets are restfully sunny and still for the town is at mass" ;