different between merely vs constantly

English

Etymology

From mere +? -ly.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?m??li/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?m??li/

Adverb

merely (not comparable)

1. (obsolete) Wholly, entirely. [16th-20th c.]
2. (focus) Without any other reason etc.; only, just, and nothing more. [from 16th c.]

Synonyms

• (wholly):
• (without any other reason): See also Thesaurus:merely

Translations

Anagrams

• Lemery, Remley

Middle English

Adverb

merely

1. Alternative form of merily

English

Alternative forms

• constantliel, constauntly (both obsolete)

Etymology

From constant +? -ly. Displaced native Old English singall??e.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?k?nst?ntli/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?k?nst?ntli/

Adverb

constantly (comparative more constantly, superlative most constantly)

1. (archaic) With steadfastness; with resolve; in loyalty, faithfully.
   • , I.iv.1:

     Agrippa and the rest of his weeping friends earnestly besought him […] not to offer violence unto himself, ‘with a settled resolution he desired again they would approve of his good intent, and not seek to dehort him from it’; and so constantly died.

2. In a constant manner; occurring continuously; persistently.
3. (frequency) Recurring regularly.

   I find that I am constantly reminding you to feed your pets.
4. In an unchangeable or invariable manner; in every case.

Synonyms

• (in a constant manner): ceaselessly, incessantly, nonstop; see also Thesaurus:continuously
• (in an unchangeable or invariable manner): consistently, invariably, uniformly; See also Thesaurus:uniformly

Translations

References

• constantly in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• constantly in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.