English

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Etymology

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From big sister +‎ -ly.

Adjective

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big-sisterly (comparative more big-sisterly, superlative most big-sisterly)

  1. Of or characteristic of older sisters.
    • 1988, Edmund White, chapter 4, in The Beautiful Room is Empty, New York: Vintage International, published 1994:
      Some were sweet and big-sisterly, good shoulders to cry on; others eternal cheerleaders, all freckles and bobby sox; still others were serious campus leaders with their blond hair in a severe twist.

Adverb

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big-sisterly (comparative more big-sisterly, superlative most big-sisterly)

  1. In the manner of an older sister.
    • 2015, Guy Vanderhaeghe, “Koenig & Company”, in Daddy Lenin and Other Stories[1], McClelland & Stewart:
      By turns she could be goofy and serious, playful and big-sisterly stern.