mainlyadv.

Brit.

/ˈmeɪnli/, U.S.

/ˈmeɪnli/

Forms: Middle English maineliche, Middle English mainliche, Middle English manliche, Middle English manly, Middle English manyly (transmission error), Middle English mavnly (transmission error), Middle English–1500s maynelie, Middle English–1500s maynely, Middle English–1600s maynly, Middle English– mainly, 1500s–1600s mainely, 1600s mainlie.

Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: main n.¹, main adj.², -ly suffix².

Etymology: In sense 1 < main n.¹ + -ly suffix²; in senses 2 and 3 < main adj.² + -ly suffix².

†1.

a. Of physical action: with force, vigour, or violence; mightily, vigorously, violently. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adverb]

hardlyeOE

strongeOE

hardOE

fastOE

starklyOE

stalworthlyc1175

starkc1225

mainlyc1300

fellc1330

snellc1330

stout1338

wightlya1340

sadlya1375

sharplyc1380

tough1398

stoutly1399

throa1400

wighta1400

lustilyc1400

sorec1400

vigourslyc1400

stiff1422

vigoriouslya1450

vigorouslya1450

actuallya1470

stourlyc1480

forcely?a1500

lustly1529

fricklyc1540

dingilya1555

livelily?1565

crankly1566

forcibly1578

crank1579

wightily?a1600

proudly1600

energetically1609

stiffly1623

ding-dong1628

greenly1633

hard and fast1646

slashingly1659

thwackingly1660

warmlya1684

robustly1709

sonsily1729

forcefullya1774

vim1843

zippily1924

vibrantly1926

punchily1934

zingily1951

the world > action or operation > manner of action > violent action or operation > [adverb]

strongeOE

hotOE

unsoftOE

snellya1000

stitha1000

stronglyOE

woodlyc1000

hatelyOE

unridelyc1175

wood1297

mainlyc1300

dreec1330

spackly?c1335

brothelyc1340

bremelya1375

fiercelya1375

violentlya1387

throlyc1390

roughlya1400

snarplya1400

unrekenlya1400

dreichlyc1400

ranklyc1400

witherlyc1400

maliciouslya1450

fervently1480

roidlyc1480

thrafully1535

vehement?1541

toughly1589

sickerly1596

vengeously1599

virulently1599

rageously1600

ragefullya1631

churlishly1657

improbously1657

rampantly1698

fierce1771

savagerous1832

fulgurantly1873

franticly1883

c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Otho) 1914 Igrop hine bi þan gurdle and hine mainliche heof.

c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Otho) 14705 To-gadere hii come and mainliche on-slowe.

c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) 2042 (MED) Fra morne to þe mirke niȝt maynly þa cocken [a1500 Trin. Dub. manly þai feghtyn].

1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis iv. 72 Not to the sky maynely, but neere sea meanelye she [sc. a bird] flickreth.

1590 C. Marlowe Tamburlaine: 1st Pt. sig. B2^v Such breadth of shoulders as might mainely beare Olde Atlas burthen.

1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. vii. sig. F7^v The Geaunt strooke so maynly mercilesse, That could haue ouerthrowne a stony towre.

1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 163 When he would rid the ground of some wilde bushes,..he laieth at them mainely with his grubbing hooke or mattocke.

1621 M. Wroth Countesse of Mountgomeries Urania 553 A terrible, fierce and mighty boare, issued out of the wood, running mainly at Amphilanthus.

1640 tr. G. S. du Verdier Love & Armes Greeke Princes iii. 50 One of them took his Scimitar..and..strook so mainly at his head, that [etc.].

1656 Manasseh ben Israel Vindiciæ Judæorum i. 6 Every day the Iewes [they] mainly strike, and buffet shamefully spitting on them.

b. Of the production of sound: in a loud voice, loudly. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > quality of voice > [adverb] > with raised voice or loudly

loud971

highc1225

on highc1225

highlyc1275

mainlyc1300

with full (also open) mouthc1300

alouda1325

greatly1340

ahigha1400

loudlya1400

on or upon heightc1405

on, upon (the) loftc1420

on loudc1450

in heightc1480

big1556

to the loudesta1616

full-mouthedly1681

in loud1682

stentoriously1685

trumpet-mouthed1767

at the top of one's throat1819

out loud1821

stentorianly1880

c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Otho) 808 He..his..horn mainliche bleu.

c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) 1427 (MED) Maynly his marschal þe mayster upon calles.

1563 2nd Tome Homelyes sig. Eeee.ii^v He cryeth maynely out against sinners.

1631 J. Weever Anc. Funerall Monuments 15 They..cried out mainly.

1796 W. Beckford Mod. Novel Writing I. xxiii. 224 She was desperate pretty and screamed out mainly.

1881 E. Slow Wiltshire Rhymes 123 Mainly he did roar.

c. Of expression, thought: vehemently, strongly; earnestly, eagerly. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > sincere emotion > [adverb]

in all one's hearteOE

of heartOE

with (also mid) all one's heartOE

with one's heartOE

heartlyc1225

innerlyc1330

dearlya1350

heartilya1375

with a whole hearta1375

faithfullyc1405

affectiouslya1420

affectuously?a1425

affectuallyc1425

mainlyc1450

from (also fro) one's heart1477

cordiallyc1515

precordially1534

earnestfulc1540

hearty1570

affectedly1582

roundly1603

devoutly1604

c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) 1217 Þan was ser Meliager moued & maynly [a1500 Trin. Dub. manly] debatis.

c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) 3424 (MED) My mekill miȝtfull gods I maynly ȝow swere.

c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 13860 This mild of his moder so mainly dessiret, þat [etc.].

1588 J. Udall Demonstr. Trueth of Discipline xviii. 92 Men mainly suspected of notorious transgressions.

1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. xvi. 662/1 His..opinion..was as mainely opposed by the Cardinall.

†a. In a great degree; greatly, considerably, very much, a great deal. Also (occasionally): entirely, perfectly. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb]

stronglyeOE

felec950

strongeOE

highlyOE

highOE

greatlya1200

stourlya1225

greata1325

dreec1330

deeplya1400

mightya1400

dreichlyc1400

mighty?a1425

sorec1440

mainlyc1450

greatumly1456

madc1487

profoundly1489

stronglya1492

muchwhata1513

shrewlya1529

heapa1547

vengeance?1548

sorely1562

smartlyc1580

mightly1582

mightily1587

violently1601

intensively1604

almightily1612

violent1629

seriously1643

intensely1646

importunately1660

shrewdly1664

gey1686

sadly1738

plenty1775

vitally1787

substantively1795

badly1813

far1814

heavily1819

serious1825

measurably1834

dearly1843

bally1939

majorly1955

sizzlingly1956

majorly1978

fecking1983

the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > [adverb] > entirely, altogether, or completely

righteOE

allingOE

outlyOE

allOE

throughoutlyc1175

allingsa1225

throughouta1225

thoroughc1225

albedenec1300

outc1300

quitelyc1330

all-whollya1375

most widelya1382

all wholea1393

all-thinga1398

algate?a1400

algatesc1405

thoroughly1442

mainly1550

outrighta1560

outrightly1642

solely1710

teetotally1832

bodaciously1833

teetotaciously1833

orl1864

c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) 934 His men & all þe Messadones full maynly ware stourbed.

1550 J. Heywood Hundred Epigrammes lx. sig. C^v Thou fleest that vice not meanly nor barely, But mainely: scrupulously.

1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iv. vii. 9 As by your safetie, greatnes, wisdome, all things els You mainely were stirr'd vp.

1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xxi. 62 I am mainly ignorant What place this is.

1616 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Scornful Ladie ii. sig. D1^v The people are so mainely giuen to spoonemeate.

a1625 J. Fletcher Mad Lover iii. iv, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. C3/1 Still she eyes him mainlie.

a1665 K. Digby Jrnl. Voy. to Mediterranean (1868) 6 Perceiuing she [sc. a ship] gott mainely of vs wee gaue ouer our chace.

1675 W. Wycherley Country-wife v. 95 You'd make me angry, but that I love you so mainly.

1702 G. Farquhar Inconstant ii. i. 16 I like her mainly.

a1777 S. Foote Nabob (1778) iii. 58 Things are mainly changed since we were boys.

1801 C. Lamb Let. Apr. in Lett. C. & M. A. Lamb (1976) II. 3 I think we should suit one another mainly.

1849 H. D. Thoreau Week Concord & Merrimack Rivers 73 And I swear by the rood, I'll be slave to no God. If ye will deal plainly, I will strive mainly.

†b. Abundantly, copiously; lavishly. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > abundance > [adverb]

enoughOE

roomOE

largely?c1225

rifec1225

foison13..

rivedlyc1300

plenteously1340

plentily1340

fulsomelya1375

abundantlya1382

plenteousc1390

aboundinglyc1400

plentifullyc1400

copiously1447

abundanta1450

amply1454

substantiously1507

fatly?1521

largea1522

plentiful1563

heartily?1577

locupletely1599

redundantly1615

mainly1618

showeringly1621

rifely1648

profusively1650

galore1675

prolifically1735

wholesale1762

copious1791

aplenty1830

plenty1842

swimming1887

1618 J. Bullokar in E. Farr Sel. Poetry Reign James I (1847) 291 This precious liquor..Whose sweet-distilling drops full mainly showres Adowne his neck.

1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. i. 25 This Prouince is mainely watered through the middle with stately Po.

1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. ix. 381 Danser tooke the presence of the Bashaw for a great fauour, and mainely feasted him with good cheare.

c. Used as an intensifier with adjectives and adverbs: very, exceedingly. Cf. main adv. Now regional.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > extremely or exceedingly

swithlyc888

micklelyeOE

swith971

hardOE

un-i-fohOE

sevenfoldlOE

unmeet?c1225

innerlyc1330

horribly1340

too1340

sore1474

horriblec1475

vehemently1483

outrageous1487

done?a1513

exquisite1529

strangely1532

exceeding1535

exceedingly1535

angardlyc1540

angerlyc1540

choicec1540

vengeable1542

vengeably?1550

extremelya1554

monstrous1569

thrice1579

amain1587

extremea1591

damnably1598

fellc1600

tyrannically1602

exquisitely1603

damnedly1607

preciously1607

damnablea1616

impensively1620

excellingly1621

main1632

fearful1634

vengeancelya1640

upsy1650

impensely1657

twadding1657

vastly1664

hideous1667

mainly1670

consumed1707

consumedly1707

outrageously1749

damned1757

nation1771

shockingly1777

deuced1779

darn1789

darned1807

felly1807

varsal1814

awful1816

awfy1816

frightfully1816

deucedly1819

dogged1819

awfully1820

gallowsa1823

shocking1831

tremendously1832

everlasting1833

terribly1833

fearfully1835

ripping1838

poison1840

thundering1853

frighteninglyc1854

raring1854

hell's own1863

goldarned1866

goddamned1870

doggone1871

acutely1872

whooping1874

stupidly1878

everlastingly1879

hideously1882

densely1883

storming1883

good and1885

thunderingly1885

crazy1887

tremendous1887

madly1888

goldarn1892

howling1895

murderously1916

rasted1919

goddam1921

bitchingly1923

Christly1923

bitching1929

falling-down1930

lousy1932

appallingly1937

stratospherically1941

Christ almighty1945

effing1945

focking1956

dagnab1961

drop-dead1980

hella1987

totes2006

1670 J. Eachard Grounds Contempt of Clergy 127 This Invention pleases some mainly well.

1684 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 2nd Pt. 209 She loveth Banqueting, and Feasting, mainly well.

1721 T. D'Urfey Grecian Heroine v. ii, in New Opera's 147 I like mine mainly well, faith.

1748 T. Smollett Roderick Random I. xxiv. 223 The captain was mainly wroth, and would certainly have done him a mischief.

1896 S. R. Crockett Cleg Kelly 205 But the station master was mainly angered.

3. For the most part; in the main; as the chief thing, chiefly, principally.Now the principal sense. As this sense is very little attested in the 18th cent., quot. 1725 may belong to sense 2a.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [adverb] > most importantly

foremostOE

primarily1587

in (also for, on, upon) the maina1591

mainly1640

perpendicularly1658

capitally1679

paramountly1798

leadingly1801

importantly1841

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > in general [phrase] > for the most part

for the more party1372

for (also be, in) the most part (also deal, party)a1387

for the more partc1405

for (the) most partc1405

much dealc1425

in substancea1450

for the mostc1531

in (also for) the generality1580

for the general1581

in (also for, on, upon) the maina1591

largely1594

principally1600

in chiefa1616

mainly1640

nine times (parts, etc.) out of (also in, of) ten1648

greatly1742

as a rule1828

1640 R. Brathwait Ar't Asleepe Husband? ii. 201 Now, for the other particular, consisting mainly in a strong and resolute Opposing whatsoever relished most with their affections.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xi. 519 Ungovern'd appetite,..a brutish vice, Inductive mainly to the sin of Eve.

1695 J. Woodward Ess. Nat. Hist. Earth 188 The metallick..matter [was originally]..interspersed..amongst the..Matter, whereof the said Strata mainly consist.

1725 R. Wolcott Poet. Meditations 18 And are our Pleasures mainly in Excess? Which genders Guilt, and ends in Bitterness.

1820 J. Marshall Writings upon Federal Constit. (1839) 218 The cause depends mainly on the validity of this act.

1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People iv. §3. 183 The body of commissioners which the King nominated were mainly Scotch.

1894 J. T. Fowler in St. Adamnan Vita S. Columbae Introd. 15 It is with Ireland that we are mainly concerned.

1920 H. C. Wyld Hist. Mod. Colloq. Eng. iv. 115 Hitherto writers upon the history of Modern English have relied mainly upon the Orthoepists.

1964 J. Mitchell White Father vi. 112 Employing mainly migrant labour, these restaurants provided an identical menu to customers in over three hundred British towns.

1988 S. Afr. Panorama Apr. 28/2 Mr Smit..is mainly engaged in the management of the resort.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2000; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	mainly
释义	mainlyadv. Brit. /ˈmeɪnli/, U.S. /ˈmeɪnli/ Forms: Middle English maineliche, Middle English mainliche, Middle English manliche, Middle English manly, Middle English manyly (transmission error), Middle English mavnly (transmission error), Middle English–1500s maynelie, Middle English–1500s maynely, Middle English–1600s maynly, Middle English– mainly, 1500s–1600s mainely, 1600s mainlie. Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: main n.¹, main adj.², -ly suffix². Etymology: In sense 1 < main n.¹ + -ly suffix²; in senses 2 and 3 < main adj.² + -ly suffix². †1. a. Of physical action: with force, vigour, or violence; mightily, vigorously, violently. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adverb] hardlyeOE strongeOE hardOE fastOE starklyOE stalworthlyc1175 starkc1225 mainlyc1300 fellc1330 snellc1330 stout1338 wightlya1340 sadlya1375 sharplyc1380 tough1398 stoutly1399 throa1400 wighta1400 lustilyc1400 sorec1400 vigourslyc1400 stiff1422 vigoriouslya1450 vigorouslya1450 actuallya1470 stourlyc1480 forcely?a1500 lustly1529 fricklyc1540 dingilya1555 livelily?1565 crankly1566 forcibly1578 crank1579 wightily?a1600 proudly1600 energetically1609 stiffly1623 ding-dong1628 greenly1633 hard and fast1646 slashingly1659 thwackingly1660 warmlya1684 robustly1709 sonsily1729 forcefullya1774 vim1843 zippily1924 vibrantly1926 punchily1934 zingily1951 the world > action or operation > manner of action > violent action or operation > [adverb] strongeOE hotOE unsoftOE snellya1000 stitha1000 stronglyOE woodlyc1000 hatelyOE unridelyc1175 wood1297 mainlyc1300 dreec1330 spackly?c1335 brothelyc1340 bremelya1375 fiercelya1375 violentlya1387 throlyc1390 roughlya1400 snarplya1400 unrekenlya1400 dreichlyc1400 ranklyc1400 witherlyc1400 maliciouslya1450 fervently1480 roidlyc1480 thrafully1535 vehement?1541 toughly1589 sickerly1596 vengeously1599 virulently1599 rageously1600 ragefullya1631 churlishly1657 improbously1657 rampantly1698 fierce1771 savagerous1832 fulgurantly1873 franticly1883 c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Otho) 1914 Igrop hine bi þan gurdle and hine mainliche heof. c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Otho) 14705 To-gadere hii come and mainliche on-slowe. c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) 2042 (MED) Fra morne to þe mirke niȝt maynly þa cocken [a1500 Trin. Dub. manly þai feghtyn]. 1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis iv. 72 Not to the sky maynely, but neere sea meanelye she [sc. a bird] flickreth. 1590 C. Marlowe Tamburlaine: 1st Pt. sig. B2^v Such breadth of shoulders as might mainely beare Olde Atlas burthen. 1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. vii. sig. F7^v The Geaunt strooke so maynly mercilesse, That could haue ouerthrowne a stony towre. 1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 163 When he would rid the ground of some wilde bushes,..he laieth at them mainely with his grubbing hooke or mattocke. 1621 M. Wroth Countesse of Mountgomeries Urania 553 A terrible, fierce and mighty boare, issued out of the wood, running mainly at Amphilanthus. 1640 tr. G. S. du Verdier Love & Armes Greeke Princes iii. 50 One of them took his Scimitar..and..strook so mainly at his head, that [etc.]. 1656 Manasseh ben Israel Vindiciæ Judæorum i. 6 Every day the Iewes [they] mainly strike, and buffet shamefully spitting on them. b. Of the production of sound: in a loud voice, loudly. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > quality of voice > [adverb] > with raised voice or loudly loud971 highc1225 on highc1225 highlyc1275 mainlyc1300 with full (also open) mouthc1300 alouda1325 greatly1340 ahigha1400 loudlya1400 on or upon heightc1405 on, upon (the) loftc1420 on loudc1450 in heightc1480 big1556 to the loudesta1616 full-mouthedly1681 in loud1682 stentoriously1685 trumpet-mouthed1767 at the top of one's throat1819 at the top of one's throat1819 out loud1821 stentorianly1880 c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Otho) 808 He..his..horn mainliche bleu. c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) 1427 (MED) Maynly his marschal þe mayster upon calles. 1563 2nd Tome Homelyes sig. Eeee.ii^v He cryeth maynely out against sinners. 1631 J. Weever Anc. Funerall Monuments 15 They..cried out mainly. 1796 W. Beckford Mod. Novel Writing I. xxiii. 224 She was desperate pretty and screamed out mainly. 1881 E. Slow Wiltshire Rhymes 123 Mainly he did roar. c. Of expression, thought: vehemently, strongly; earnestly, eagerly. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > sincere emotion > [adverb] in all one's hearteOE of heartOE with (also mid) all one's heartOE with one's heartOE heartlyc1225 innerlyc1330 dearlya1350 heartilya1375 with a whole hearta1375 faithfullyc1405 affectiouslya1420 affectuously?a1425 affectuallyc1425 mainlyc1450 from (also fro) one's heart1477 cordiallyc1515 precordially1534 earnestfulc1540 hearty1570 affectedly1582 roundly1603 devoutly1604 c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) 1217 Þan was ser Meliager moued & maynly [a1500 Trin. Dub. manly] debatis. c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) 3424 (MED) My mekill miȝtfull gods I maynly ȝow swere. c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 13860 This mild of his moder so mainly dessiret, þat [etc.]. 1588 J. Udall Demonstr. Trueth of Discipline xviii. 92 Men mainly suspected of notorious transgressions. 1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. xvi. 662/1 His..opinion..was as mainely opposed by the Cardinall. 2. †a. In a great degree; greatly, considerably, very much, a great deal. Also (occasionally): entirely, perfectly. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] stronglyeOE felec950 strongeOE highlyOE highOE greatlya1200 stourlya1225 greata1325 dreec1330 deeplya1400 mightya1400 dreichlyc1400 mighty?a1425 sorec1440 mainlyc1450 greatumly1456 madc1487 profoundly1489 stronglya1492 muchwhata1513 shrewlya1529 heapa1547 vengeance?1548 sorely1562 smartlyc1580 mightly1582 mightily1587 violently1601 intensively1604 almightily1612 violent1629 seriously1643 intensely1646 importunately1660 shrewdly1664 gey1686 sadly1738 plenty1775 vitally1787 substantively1795 badly1813 far1814 heavily1819 serious1825 measurably1834 dearly1843 bally1939 majorly1955 sizzlingly1956 majorly1978 fecking1983 the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > [adverb] > entirely, altogether, or completely righteOE allingOE outlyOE allOE throughoutlyc1175 allingsa1225 throughouta1225 thoroughc1225 albedenec1300 outc1300 quitelyc1330 all-whollya1375 most widelya1382 all wholea1393 all-thinga1398 algate?a1400 algatesc1405 thoroughly1442 mainly1550 outrighta1560 outrightly1642 solely1710 teetotally1832 bodaciously1833 teetotaciously1833 orl1864 c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) 934 His men & all þe Messadones full maynly ware stourbed. 1550 J. Heywood Hundred Epigrammes lx. sig. C^v Thou fleest that vice not meanly nor barely, But mainely: scrupulously. 1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iv. vii. 9 As by your safetie, greatnes, wisdome, all things els You mainely were stirr'd vp. 1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xxi. 62 I am mainly ignorant What place this is. View more context for this quotation 1616 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Scornful Ladie ii. sig. D1^v The people are so mainely giuen to spoonemeate. a1625 J. Fletcher Mad Lover iii. iv, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. C3/1 Still she eyes him mainlie. a1665 K. Digby Jrnl. Voy. to Mediterranean (1868) 6 Perceiuing she [sc. a ship] gott mainely of vs wee gaue ouer our chace. 1675 W. Wycherley Country-wife v. 95 You'd make me angry, but that I love you so mainly. 1702 G. Farquhar Inconstant ii. i. 16 I like her mainly. a1777 S. Foote Nabob (1778) iii. 58 Things are mainly changed since we were boys. 1801 C. Lamb Let. Apr. in Lett. C. & M. A. Lamb (1976) II. 3 I think we should suit one another mainly. 1849 H. D. Thoreau Week Concord & Merrimack Rivers 73 And I swear by the rood, I'll be slave to no God. If ye will deal plainly, I will strive mainly. †b. Abundantly, copiously; lavishly. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > abundance > [adverb] enoughOE roomOE largely?c1225 rifec1225 foison13.. rivedlyc1300 plenteously1340 plentily1340 fulsomelya1375 abundantlya1382 plenteousc1390 aboundinglyc1400 plentifullyc1400 copiously1447 abundanta1450 amply1454 substantiously1507 fatly?1521 largea1522 plentiful1563 heartily?1577 locupletely1599 redundantly1615 mainly1618 showeringly1621 rifely1648 profusively1650 galore1675 prolifically1735 wholesale1762 copious1791 aplenty1830 plenty1842 swimming1887 1618 J. Bullokar in E. Farr Sel. Poetry Reign James I (1847) 291 This precious liquor..Whose sweet-distilling drops full mainly showres Adowne his neck. 1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. i. 25 This Prouince is mainely watered through the middle with stately Po. 1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. ix. 381 Danser tooke the presence of the Bashaw for a great fauour, and mainely feasted him with good cheare. c. Used as an intensifier with adjectives and adverbs: very, exceedingly. Cf. main adv. Now regional. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > extremely or exceedingly swithlyc888 micklelyeOE swith971 hardOE un-i-fohOE sevenfoldlOE unmeet?c1225 innerlyc1330 horribly1340 too1340 sore1474 horriblec1475 vehemently1483 outrageous1487 done?a1513 exquisite1529 strangely1532 exceeding1535 exceedingly1535 angardlyc1540 angerlyc1540 choicec1540 vengeable1542 vengeably?1550 extremelya1554 monstrous1569 thrice1579 amain1587 extremea1591 damnably1598 fellc1600 tyrannically1602 exquisitely1603 damnedly1607 preciously1607 damnablea1616 impensively1620 excellingly1621 main1632 fearful1634 vengeancelya1640 upsy1650 impensely1657 twadding1657 vastly1664 hideous1667 mainly1670 consumed1707 consumedly1707 outrageously1749 damned1757 nation1771 shockingly1777 deuced1779 darn1789 darned1807 felly1807 varsal1814 awful1816 awfy1816 frightfully1816 deucedly1819 dogged1819 awfully1820 gallowsa1823 shocking1831 tremendously1832 everlasting1833 terribly1833 fearfully1835 ripping1838 poison1840 thundering1853 frighteninglyc1854 raring1854 hell's own1863 goldarned1866 goddamned1870 doggone1871 acutely1872 whooping1874 stupidly1878 everlastingly1879 hideously1882 densely1883 storming1883 good and1885 thunderingly1885 crazy1887 tremendous1887 madly1888 goldarn1892 howling1895 murderously1916 rasted1919 goddam1921 bitchingly1923 Christly1923 bitching1929 falling-down1930 lousy1932 appallingly1937 stratospherically1941 Christ almighty1945 effing1945 focking1956 dagnab1961 drop-dead1980 hella1987 totes2006 1670 J. Eachard Grounds Contempt of Clergy 127 This Invention pleases some mainly well. 1684 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 2nd Pt. 209 She loveth Banqueting, and Feasting, mainly well. View more context for this quotation 1721 T. D'Urfey Grecian Heroine v. ii, in New Opera's 147 I like mine mainly well, faith. 1748 T. Smollett Roderick Random I. xxiv. 223 The captain was mainly wroth, and would certainly have done him a mischief. 1896 S. R. Crockett Cleg Kelly 205 But the station master was mainly angered. 3. For the most part; in the main; as the chief thing, chiefly, principally.Now the principal sense. As this sense is very little attested in the 18th cent., quot. 1725 may belong to sense 2a. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [adverb] > most importantly foremostOE primarily1587 in (also for, on, upon) the maina1591 mainly1640 perpendicularly1658 capitally1679 paramountly1798 leadingly1801 importantly1841 the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > in general [phrase] > for the most part for the more party1372 for (also be, in) the most part (also deal, party)a1387 for the more partc1405 for (the) most partc1405 much dealc1425 in substancea1450 for the mostc1531 in (also for) the generality1580 for the general1581 in (also for, on, upon) the maina1591 largely1594 principally1600 in chiefa1616 mainly1640 nine times (parts, etc.) out of (also in, of) ten1648 greatly1742 as a rule1828 1640 R. Brathwait Ar't Asleepe Husband? ii. 201 Now, for the other particular, consisting mainly in a strong and resolute Opposing whatsoever relished most with their affections. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xi. 519 Ungovern'd appetite,..a brutish vice, Inductive mainly to the sin of Eve. View more context for this quotation 1695 J. Woodward Ess. Nat. Hist. Earth 188 The metallick..matter [was originally]..interspersed..amongst the..Matter, whereof the said Strata mainly consist. 1725 R. Wolcott Poet. Meditations 18 And are our Pleasures mainly in Excess? Which genders Guilt, and ends in Bitterness. 1820 J. Marshall Writings upon Federal Constit. (1839) 218 The cause depends mainly on the validity of this act. 1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People iv. §3. 183 The body of commissioners which the King nominated were mainly Scotch. 1894 J. T. Fowler in St. Adamnan Vita S. Columbae Introd. 15 It is with Ireland that we are mainly concerned. 1920 H. C. Wyld Hist. Mod. Colloq. Eng. iv. 115 Hitherto writers upon the history of Modern English have relied mainly upon the Orthoepists. 1964 J. Mitchell White Father vi. 112 Employing mainly migrant labour, these restaurants provided an identical menu to customers in over three hundred British towns. 1988 S. Afr. Panorama Apr. 28/2 Mr Smit..is mainly engaged in the management of the resort. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2000; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < adv.c1300
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