| 释义 |
precisely, adv.|prɪˈsaɪslɪ|
Forms: see precise (5–6 erron. percys-).
[f. as precise a. + -ly2.
Known in use earlier than precise adj. prob. immediately translating F. précisément, which is also known earlier than précis, -e adj., and was prob. a rendering of the L. adv. præcīsē, which was much more in use than the adj. præcīsus.]
†1. Definitely; entirely, absolutely. Obs.
c1450in Arnolde's Chron. (1811) 37 From y⊇ office of aldyrmanry vtterly and percysly to cessen. 1552R. Ascham in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden) 11 My purpose is preciselie bent to mynde all dewtie. 1552Huloet, Preciselye, obiter, precise. 1568Grafton Chron. II. 768 If shee percase be so obstinate and so precisely set vpon her awne will and opinion, that [etc.]. 1630R. Johnson's Kingd. & Commw. 49, I prescribe not these places so precisely, as that he may not live in others.
†b. In definite or precise terms; expressly. Obs.
1494Fabyan Chron. vii. ccxlv. 287 Anon he demed y⊇ contrary, & sayd, presysely yt other they must gyue batayll to theyr enemyes, or ellys they must flee wt shame. 1560A. L. tr. Calvin's Four Serm. Song Ezech. i. (1561) A viij b, Ther be also other more impudent, whiche..do plainly & precisely deny it to be sinne. 1577tr. Bullinger's Decades (1592) 112 God doth simply offer himselfe to vs, and precisely set downe what he will be to vs ward.
†2. Particularly, specifically, in particular. Obs.
1532More Confut. Barnes viii. Wks. 782/2 As touching saint Paule, he spake not in that place precisely of y⊇ scripture. 1653Ashwell Fides Apost. 124 Cajetan there speakes of Symbolum in generall, not of the Apostles Creed precisely. 1654Warren Unbelievers 189 The matter..was..precisely and abstractively considered. 1697Humfrey Righteousn. God iv. 55 It may be consider'd Precisely in itself, or Complexly with its Antecedents, and Consequents.
3. With strict observance of rule, form, or usage; strictly, rigorously; minutely, punctually; punctiliously, ceremoniously; properly, with propriety.
1526Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 65 Whiche..yet to this present daye kepe the lettre of the lawe of Moyses in many thynges precysely. 1581J. Bell Haddon's Answ. Osor. 501 b, Wherefore if neither this reuerend Byshopp..is able to behaue himselfe so precisely, but that he must flee dayly with vs to the mercy seate and compassion of God: where be then these glorious crakes of integrity? 1706E. Ward Wooden World Diss. (1708) 26 Like a wise Philosopher, conforms to Time and Place most precisely. 1837Disraeli Venetia i. xiv, His other features small, though precisely moulded.
4. Exactly; with precise or exact correspondence; with precise identification, with exact or definite knowledge.
1567Drant Horace, De Arte Poet. A iv, Do not imitate So iumpingly so precyselie And step for step so strayte. 1610Holland Camden's Brit. (1637) 819 To point out precisely the very place..passeth my skill. 1783Ld. Hailes Antiq. Chr. Ch. ii. 39 note, The date is not precisely known. 1794Sullivan View Nat. II. 156 Crystals have probably never been produced..precisely answering to the articulated basaltic pillars. 1860Tyndall Glac. ii. xiv. 303 Their reports..did not always agree precisely with each other.
b. Qualifying a specified relation, time, etc., or a statement: Exactly, just; ellipt. just so, quite so; = exactly 5 b, c.
1652G. Collier Vind. Sabbath (1656) 39 The day Christ calls his day..is precisely the day of his birth. 1712Addison Spect. No. 452 ⁋5 It being my Design to put out my Paper every Night at Nine-o-Clock precisely. 1820Byron Morg. Mag. lxiii, Morgante at a venture shot an arrow, Which pierced a pig precisely in the ear. 1866Geo. Eliot F. Holt ii, That is precisely what I wanted to say a few words about to you. 1906Athenæum 10 Mar. 289/1 Some of them might have been withheld without precisely damaging the author's reputation. 1906H. Black Edin. Serm. 115 The apostle holds the precisely opposite view. Mod. ‘Then you would advise me to wait a little and watch the course of events?’ ‘Precisely.’ |