Ulysses was to force forth his access,
Though merely naked. --Chapman.
[1913 Webster]
2. Not otherwise than; simply; barely; only.
[1913 Webster]
Prize not your life for other ends
Than merely to oblige your friends. --Swift.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: Solely; simply; purely; barely; scarcely. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
merely — index only, purely (simply), solely (purely) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
merely — (adv.) mid 15c., entirely, purely, from MERE (Cf. mere) (adj.) + LY (Cf. ly) (2). Meaning and nothing more is from 1580s … Etymology dictionary
merely — ► ADVERB ▪ just; only … English terms dictionary
merely — [mir′lē] adv. [ MERE1 + LY2] 1. no more than; and nothing else; only 2. Obs. absolutely; altogether … English World dictionary
merely — [[t]mɪ͟ə(r)li[/t]] ♦♦♦ 1) ADV: ADV with cl/group, ADV before v (emphasis) You use merely to emphasize that something is only what you say and not better, more important, or more exciting. Michael is now merely a good friend... Francis Watson was… … English dictionary
merely — mere|ly W2S2 [ˈmıəli US ˈmırli] adv 1.) used to emphasize how small or unimportant something or someone is = ↑only ▪ He s merely a boy you can t expect him to understand. 2.) used to emphasize that nothing more than what you say is involved =… … Dictionary of contemporary English
merely — adverb 1 used to emphasize that something or someone is very small or unimportant, especially when compared with something else; only: It is an issue of merely local importance. | This is merely the latest example of government interference. 2… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
merely — adv. Merely is used with these adjectives: ↑academic, ↑adequate, ↑coincidental, ↑cosmetic, ↑curious, ↑decorative, ↑descriptive, ↑formal, ↑hypothetical, ↑incidental, ↑instrumental, ↑ … Collocations dictionary
merely — mere|ly [ mırli ] adverb 1. ) used for emphasizing that something is small or unimportant: ONLY: This job is merely a way to pay my bills. 2. ) used for emphasizing that something is not as bad, severe, or important as someone thinks it is: ONLY … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
merely */*/*/ — UK [ˈmɪə(r)lɪ] / US [ˈmɪrlɪ] adverb 1) used for emphasizing that something is small or unimportant This job is merely a way to pay my bills. 2) used for emphasizing that something is not as bad, severe, or important as someone thinks it is I m… … English dictionary
