especially, adv.
(ɛˈspɛʃəlɪ)
[f. as prec. + -ly2.]
In an especial manner; principally, chiefly. Also in phr. † in especially (see also inespecially). In later use also with adjs.: In an especial degree.
| ? a 1400 Chester Pl. (1843) i. 105 Sybbell, I praye thee especiallye, etc. 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. v. iii, Evander..dyd well abounde In many vertues, especially in lernyng. 1557 North tr. Guevara's Diall. Pr. 92 a/1 The women, & in especially greate ladies, know not, etc. 1581 Marbeck Bk. of Notes 685 And then the Priest prayed in generall for all estates and degrees, and for increase of grace, and in especially if neede required. 1640 in Hamilton Papers (Camden Soc.) App. 259 Hereof he was espetially advertised by the Hammiltons. 1677 Johnson in Ray's Corr. (1847) 127 Great shoals of salmon..often take in at the mouths of our rivers, especially if the north bar be open. 1747 Wesley Prim. Physic (1762) 30 It sometimes cures an Ague especially in Children. 1834 Newman Par. Serm. (1837) I. iv. 61 Unless they are especially watchful. 1863 Lyell Antiq. Man 9 Around the borders of the bogs..lie trunks of trees, especially of the Scotch fir. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) IV. 130 Two points in his criticism are especially deserving of notice. |