The term 'hardly hearty' can be described by the crossword solutions of ANEMIC (6 letters), GAUNT (5 letters) and WAN (3 letters). ANEMIC is a medical term used to describe a person who has a lack of red blood cells or hemoglobin, which can lead to paleness, fatigue and shortness of breath. GAUNT is an adjective used to describe someone who is very thin and bony, often due to illness or starvation. Lastly, WAN is an adjective used to describe someone who looks pale, weak and tired. All three words are used to describe someone who is not in good health, and together they form the phrase 'hardly hearty'.