'madly' originates from the Old English word 'gemǣd,' where 'ge-' was an intensifying prefix and 'mǣd' meant 'insane or foolish.'

'gemǣd' transformed into the Middle English word 'mad,' and eventually became the modern English word 'madly.'

Initially, it meant 'insanely or foolishly,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'enthusiastically or passionately.'