indeed, advb. phr.
(ɪnˈdiːd)
Forms: see deed n.
[f. in prep. + deed n. (5 b and 5 c): down to 1600 commonly written as two words, as still in the stronger in very deed.]
1. In actual fact, in reality, in truth; really, truly, assuredly, positively.
| c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 7591 Þat was þe firste wassail in dede. c 1340 Cursor M. 10160 (Trin.) Of him we wol oure story rede For worþiest hit is in dede. 1430–40 Lydg. Bochas ix. iii. (MS. Bodl. 263) 408/2 In al his book, he had afforn nat seen A mor woful creature, in deede. 1526 Tindale Luke xxiv. 34 The lorde is risen in dede and hath apered to Simon. 1610 Shakes. Temp. i. ii. 96 My trust..which had indeede no limit. 1766 Goldsm. Vic. W. iv, When Sunday came it was indeed a day of finery. 1816 J. Wilson City of Plague ii. i. 37, I hear thy voice, And know that I indeed am motherless. 1878 Hutton Scott iv. 37 He was, indeed, a man of iron nerve. |
b. Freq. placed after a word in order to emphasize it: hence, with n. = actual, real, true, genuine; with adj. or adv. = really and truly. (The adj. is often preceded by very.)
| 1575 Fleming Virg. Bucol. x. 1 O Arethusa, graunt this labour be my last indeede. 1611 Bible John i. 47 Behold an Israelite indeed [Tindale a ryght Israelite] in whom is no guile. 1638 F. Junius Paint. of Ancients 236 Our discourse is not about ordinary workmen, but wee doe rather speake of such men as are Painters indeed, that is, men of excellent wittes and great. 1653 Walton Angler xi. 218, I marry Sir, this is Musick indeed, this has cheered my heart. 1742 Jarvis Quix. ii. i. i. (1885) 14 ‘Marvellous indeed!’ said the priest. 1816 J. Wilson City of Plague i. i. 163 My hours of sleep are now but few indeed. 1848 B. Lefroy in State Trials (N.S.) VI. 695, I should be very glad indeed to find that I had mistaken altogether the drift of that defence. 1876–7 L. Morris Epic Hades, Phaedra, Amid the crowd of youths He showed a Prince indeed. |
2. In reality, in real nature or essence, opposed to what is merely external or apparent.
| 1412–20 Lydg. Chron. Troy i. v. (MS. Digby 230), There was oone enclosed in her herte And anoþir in hir chere declared For maidens han ofte siþes spared To shewe oute þt þei desire in dede. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 143 Rather make it seme lesse incomparably than it is in dede. a 1568 R. Ascham Scholem. Pref. (Arb.) 18 The Scholehouse should be in deede, as it is called by name, the house of playe and pleasure. 1649 Milton Eikon. Pref., Like those captive women who bewail'd the death of Patroclus in out⁓ward show, but indeed their own condition. 1692 E. Walker Epictetus' Mor. v, That which I see, Is not indeed that which it seems to be. 1876–7 L. Morris Epic Hades, Marsyas 88 The Muses' Eyes, who were indeed Women, though god-like. |
† b. In an adversative clause, emphasizing the real fact or reason in opposition to that which is false. Obs.
| 1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. I. 33 The schirrefdome..of Perth is nocht litle, but ample indede and large. 1610 Shakes. Temp. ii. i. 54 Gon. How lush and lusty the grasse lookes? How greene? Ant. The ground indeed is tawny. 1611 Bible Transl. Pref. 2 [He] was iudged to be no man at armes (though in deed he excelled in feates of chiualrie). 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 90 Whereas that rednesse ariseth indeed of the winds, which..carry..red Earth or Minium. |
3. Used in a clause which confirms and amplifies a previous statement: In point of fact, as a matter of fact.
| 1535 Joye Apol. Tindale 42 And in dead I brought the same texte agenst him. 1601 R. Johnson Kingd. & Commw. (1603) 78 Their disposition (as indeed almost all the rest of the Germans) very honest. 1662 Bk. Com. Prayer Pref., Of the Church of England, or indeed of the whole Catholick Church of Christ. 1710 Hearne Collect. III. 16 There is a very large Preface, but silly, and plainly shews the Author to be a Whigg, and indeed a fool. 1854 A. Jameson Bk. of Th. (1877) 117 What do we know of the mystery of..child-life? What, indeed, do we know of any life? 1885 Rider Haggard K. Solomon's Mines 32, I am..a cautious man, indeed a timid one. |
4. With concessive force (usually followed by an adversative clause) = It is true, it must be admitted.
| 1563 W. Fulke Meteors (1640) 8 Indeed sometimes it may be so, but..it is not so alwayes, nor yet most commonly. a 1568 R. Ascham Scholem. i. (Arb.) 32 These ye will say, be fond scholemasters..They be fond in deede, but surelie ouermany soch be found euerie where. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 95 ¶3 Grief and Weeping are indeed frequent Companions, but, I believe, never in their highest Excesses. 1828 Scott F.M. Perth v, She blushed deeply indeed, but there was more than maiden's shame in her face. 1894 Fowler Adamnan Introd. 81 Latin, not classical indeed, but good of its kind. |
5. In dialogue, used to emphasize the reply (affirmative or negative) to a question or remark: e.g. ‘Yes, indeed!’, ‘No, indeed!’
| 1583 Stubbes Anat. Abus. ii. (1882) 89 Is not that your meaning? That is my meaning indeed. 1591 Shakes. Two Gent. ii. iv. 9 Sil. Seruant, you are sad. Val. Indeed, Madam. I seeme so. 1734 Carey Chrononhoton. ii, Queen. Away! 'you flatter me. 1st Lady. We don't indeed. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 19 Can you tell me? Indeed I cannot. 1885 Punch 19 Dec. 298/1 ‘But you don't mean to tell me you're the secretary of all these companies?’ ‘Indeed I do, my dear fellow’. |
b. Used in echoing the question asked by another speaker.
| 1766 Goldsm. Vic. W. vii, ‘Who knows how this may end?’ ‘Aye, who knows that indeed!’ answered I. 1826 Disraeli Viv. Grey ii. xv, ‘Who is this Mr. Grey?’ ‘Who, indeed!’ |
6. Interrogatively = ‘Is it so?’ ‘Really?’
| 1598 Shakes. Merry W. iv. ii. 15 Mis. P. Whose at home besides your selfe? Mis. F. Why, none but mine owne people. Mis. P. Indeed? Mis. F. No, certainly. 1604 ― Oth. iii. iii. 101 Ia. I did not thinke he had bin acquainted with hir. O. O yes, and went betweene vs very oft. Ia. Indeed? O. Indeed? I indeed. Discern'st thou ought in that? 1710 Steele Tatler No. 171 ¶3, I go no further than, Say you so, Sir? Indeed! Heyday! 1870 Dickens E. Drood xviii, ‘That's Jarsper's’. ‘Indeed?’ said Mr. Datchery. |
7. As an interjection, expressing (according to the intonation) irony, contempt, amazement, incredulity, or the like.
| 1834 Medwin Angler in Wales I. 181 This is the Angler in Wales, indeed! exclaims some fair reader. 1837 Dickens Pickw. xxvi, ‘Ah’, said Sam, ‘to be sure; that's the question.’ ‘Question, indeed’, retorted Mrs. Cluppins. ‘she'd question him, if she'd my spirit.’ 1866 Ruskin Wild Olive (ed. 2) 91, I think such and such a thing might be desirable..a damask curtain or so at the windows. ‘Ah’, says my employer, ‘damask curtains indeed! That's all very fine’. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 219 ‘O, indeed’, I said, ‘what a wonderful thing, and what a great blessing!’ |
8. indeed and indeed, really and truly. colloq.
| 1673 Wycherley Gentl. Dancing-M. iii. i. Wks. (Rtldg.) 52/2 Indeed, and indeed, father, my aunt puts me quite out. Ibid. iv. i. 54/2 Indeed and indeed, father, I shall not have him. 1840 Dickens Barn. Rudge xxii, She said that indeed and indeed Miss Dolly might take pattern by her blessed mother. 187. W. S. Gilbert Distant Shore, O say that I love him indeed and indeed! |