MERE, MERELY, MERENESS
ADJECTIVES
► NETTY mere, sheer → 1801 Sc. obs.
ADVERBS
► ALL SIMPLY merely, only → c1430 obs.
► BARELY merely, simply, only → 1577 arch.
► SINGLY solely, only; merely → 1654-66 obs.
NOUNS
► BARENESS mere or simple quality; mereness → 1607 obs.