purely

adverb

1. 1

   Wholly; really, completely.

   I am fascinated by the entire scene, I purely am.

2. 2

   Solely; exclusively; merely, simply.

   The IRA should "lead by example" and "unilaterally" abandon paramilitary violence and adopt a purely political strategy, a leading Sinn Féin MP urged yesterday.

   "But this meal tonight is not a date, not in the traditional sense. It's purely platonic, I assure you."

3. 3

   Chastely, innocently; in a sinless manner, without fault.

   faith and troth, / Strain'd purely from all hollow bias drawing: / Bids thee with most diuine integritie, / From heart of very heart, great Hector welcome.

4. 4

   archaicWithout physical adulterants; refinedly, with no admixture.

   By some means or other the water flows purely, and separated from the filth, in a deeper and narrower course on one side of the rock, and the refuse of the dirt and troubled water goes off on the other in a broader current [...].

adjective

1. 1

   Well, in good health.

   My Dame (who was an utter ſtranger to all that had paſſed between the young Squire and her daughter) was exceeding glad to ſee him look ſo purely after his journey, and all the young fry ſwarmed about him, for the ſake of the halfpence they had ſo often ſcrambled for; […]

   On entering the cottage, she […] began to inquire after the health of the family. “They be all purely, thank ye, Miss,” said the woman; “and, as I tell my good man, I make no doubt but we shall do very well again, after a bit.”

   PURELY, Quite well. “How’s thy mam?” “Purely thank ye.”

   “Well, John, how are you; and how are Mary and the children?”—“All purely, thank ye, master.” “Why, you deceitful wretch—you ‘spiritless outcast’—you are worse than the knife-grinder! I know better; the friend of humanity has been with me. What do you mean by saying that your wife and children are well at home?[…]”

Forms

comparative

more purely

superlative

most purely