MERELY

merely, simply, just, only, but

(adverb) and nothing more; “I was merely asking”; “it is simply a matter of time”; “just a scratch”; “he was only a child”; “hopes that last but a moment”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adverb

merely (not comparable)

(obsolete) Wholly, entirely. [16th-20th c.]

(focus) Without any other reason etc.; only, just, and nothing more. [from 16th c.]

Synonyms

• (wholly)

• (without any other reason): See also merely

Anagrams

• Lemery, Remley

Source: Wiktionary

Mere"ly, adv.

1. Purely; unmixedly; absolutely. Ulysses was to force forth his access, Though merely naked. Chapman.

2. Not otherwise than; simply; barely; only. Prize not your life for other ends Than merely to obige your friends. Swift.

Syn.

– Solely; simply; purely; barely; scarcely.

MERE

-mere. Etym: [Gr.

Definition: A combining form meaning part, portion; as, blastomere, epimere.

Mere, n. Etym: [Written also mar.] Etym: [OE. mere, AS. mere mere, sea; akin to D. meer lake, OS. meri sea, OHG. meri, mari, G. meer, Icel. marr, Goth. marei, Russ. more, W. mor, Ir. & Gael. muir, L. mare, and perh. to L. mori to die, and meaning originally, that which is dead, a waste. Cf. Mortal, Marine, Marsh, Mermaid, Moor.]

Definition: A pool or lake. Drayton. Tennyson.

Mere, n. Etym: [Written also meer and mear.] Etym: [AS. gemære. sq. root269.]

Definition: A boundary. Bacon.

Mere, v. t.

Definition: To divide, limit, or bound. [Obs.] Which meared her rule with Africa. Spenser.

Mere, n.

Definition: A mare. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Mere, a. [Superl. Merest. The comparative is rarely or never used.] Etym: [L. merus.]

1. Unmixed; pure; entire; absolute; unqualified. Then entered they the mere, main sea. Chapman. The sorrows of this world would be mere and unmixed. Jer. Taylor.

2. Only this, and nothing else; such, and no more; simple; bare; as, a mere boy; a mere form. From mere success nothing can be concluded in favor of any nation. Atterbury.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition