Softly (6)
I believe the answer is:
gently
'softly' is the definition.
(I know that softly can be written as gently)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for gently that I've seen before include "Mildly, kindly" , "Not violently" , "in a peaceful manner?" , "Softly, delicately" , "Lightly, mildly, softly" .)