possibly, adv.
(ˈpɒsɪblɪ)
[f. possible + -ly2.]
1. In a possible manner; according to what may or can be (in the nature of things); by any existing power or means; within the range of possibility; by any possibility. (Usually, now always, as an intensive qualification of can or could.)
| c 1391 Chaucer Astrol. Prol. 1 Alle the conclusiouns that han ben fownde, or elles possibli myhten be fownde. 1583 T. Stocker Civ. Warres Lowe C. i. 31 Sent..for as much Artillery as was possiblye to be had. 1591 Shakes. Two Gent. ii. ii. 3 When possibly I can, I will returne. a 1680 Butler Rem (1759) I. 14 Every Man amaz'd anew, How it could possibly be true. 1710 Addison Tatler No. 243 ¶ 6 He cannot possibly live till Five in the Morning. Mod. I cannot possibly be present. How could you possibly think so? |
† b. Irregularly used instead of possible in adverbial phrases, as if possibly, soon as possibly, by all means possibly. Obs.
| 1560 Ingelend Disob. Child in Hazl. Dodsley II. 277 Therefore out of hand with all speed possibly To have a wife, methink, would do well. 1583 T. Stocker Civ. Warres Lowe C. iii. 117 b, That all South Holland, if it were possibly, might bee laide vnder the water. 1640 Habington Edw. IV 137 Soone as possibly, he was dismist. 1654–66 Earl of Orrery Parthen. (1676) 701, I was somewhat moved..if possibly, to make her think she was mistook. |
† c. As is possible to one; according to one's ability; as much or as well as one can. Obs. rare.
| 1657 Cromwell Speech 8 Apr., You have provided for every one of them as a Free Man, as a man that does possibly, rationally, and conscientiously. |
2. Qualifying the statement, and expressing contingency or subjective possibility (cf. possible a. 2): According to what may be (as far as one knows); perhaps, perchance, maybe. (Often as intensive qualification of may or might.)
| 1600 E. Blount tr. Conestaggio 18 With greater libertie then possiblie reason woulde allowe. 1685 South Serm. (1697) I. viii. 362 A man by mere peradventure lights into company, possibly is driven into an House by a shower of Rain for present Shelter. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 98 ¶2 The Women might possibly have carried this Gothick Building much higher. 1847 C. Brontë J. Eyre iii, Possibly I might have some poor low relations. 1877 Bain Comp. Higher Eng. Gram. (ed. 2) 198 We shall possibly come. 1899 T. Nicoll Rec. Archæol. & Bible v. 206 A Hittite woman was possibly the mother of Solomon [= it is possible that a Hittite woman was..]. |