- chiefly
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I. adverb
Date: 14th century
1. most importantly ; principally, especially
2. for the most part ; mostly, mainly
II. adjective
Date: 1870
of or relating to a chief <chiefly duties>
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
chiefly
Look at other dictionaries:
Chiefly — Chief ly, adv. 1. In the first place; principally; pre[ e]minently; above; especially. [1913 Webster] Search through this garden; leave unsearched no nook; But chiefly where those two fair creatures lodge. Milton. [1913 Webster] 2. For the most… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
chiefly — [chēf′lē] adv. 1. most of all; above all 2. mainly; mostly adj. of or like a chief [a chiefly rank] … English World dictionary
chiefly — index a fortiori, ab initio, as a rule, generally, particularly Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
chiefly — pre eminently, mid 14c., from CHIEF (Cf. chief) + LY (Cf. ly) (2). Meaning pertaining to a chief is from 1870 … Etymology dictionary
chiefly — *largely, greatly, mostly, mainly, principally, generally … New Dictionary of Synonyms
chiefly — [adv] most importantly above all, especially, essentially, in general, in the first place, in the main, largely, mainly, mostly, on the whole, overall, predominantly, primarily, principally, usually; concepts 567,772 Ant. unimportantly … New thesaurus
chiefly — ► ADVERB ▪ mainly; mostly … English terms dictionary
chiefly — /cheef lee/, adv. 1. primarily; essentially: He phoned chiefly to let us know he was feeling better. 2. mainly; mostly: This dish consists chiefly of noodles. adj. 3. of, pertaining to, or like a chief: his chiefly responsibilities. [1300 50; ME; … Universalium
chiefly — [[t]tʃi͟ːfli[/t]] ADV: ADV with cl/group, ADV with v You use chiefly to indicate that a particular reason, emotion, method, or feature is the main or most important one. He joined the consular service in China, chiefly because this was one of the … English dictionary
chiefly — chief•ly [[t]ˈtʃif li[/t]] adv. 1) primarily; essentially: wanted chiefly for armed robbery[/ex] 2) mainly; mostly: The dish consisted chiefly of noodles[/ex] 3) cvb of, pertaining to, or like a chief: chiefly duty[/ex] • Etymology: 1300–50 … From formal English to slang
chiefly — adv. Chiefly is used with these adjectives: ↑composed, ↑concerned, ↑interested, ↑responsible Chiefly is used with these verbs: ↑consist … Collocations dictionary
