▪ I. chiefly, a.
(ˈtʃiːflɪ)
[f. chief n. + -ly1.]
Properly pertaining to a chief.
| 1870 Meade New Zealand 356 A real chiefly exercise. 1876 H. Spencer Princ. Sociol. iii. ix. (1879) 708 There is a natural relation between constant fighting and development of chiefly power. 1882 Athenæum 22 Apr. 502/1. |
▪ II. chiefly, adv.
(ˈtʃiːflɪ)
[f. chief a. + -ly2.]
1. In chief, in particular; preeminently; especially, particularly; above all, most of all. † chiefliest: most particularly.
| c 1340 Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 850 Þe lorde hym charred to a chambre, & chefly cumaundez To delyuer hym a leude, hym loȝly to serue. Ibid. 883 He..achaufed hym, chefly, & þenne his cher mended. c 1400 Apol. Loll. 42 Crist is rich, for He haþ chefly & richli alle þingis. 14.. Epiph. (Tundale's Vis. 113) Sche answered..With all the port of womonly clennes Hurself demenyng and chefly with mekenes. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 292 Many great inconveniences followed. And chiefely the price of Corne this yere beganne greatly to be advaunced. 1611 Bible Tobit iv. 12 Beware of all whoredome..and chiefely take a wife of the seed of thy fathers. 1645 Marquis of Worcester in Dircks Life viii. (1865) 118 That which is chiefliest and earnestliest recommended you. 1760 Goldsm. Cit. W. iii, To make a fine gentleman several trades are required, but chiefly a barber. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 389 Not life, but a good life, is to be chiefly valued. |
2. (Relatively to others.) Principally, mainly, for the most part. (Usually with the force of ‘mainly but not exclusively’.)
| 138. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 370 Þe material swerde wiþ his purtenance in þe persone of cesar, in whom þat tyme was chefly þis swerde. ― Sel. Wks. I. 14 Cristis prechours shulden chevely tellen Goddis lawe. 1529 Frith Antithesis (1829) 300 We will chiefly touch the head, which is the Pope. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 300, I must needes commend you very much in all your doings, chiefely for your valiantnes..in this battaile. 1711 Addison Spec. No. 169 ¶9 Cæsar's Character is chiefly made up of Good-nature. 1798 Ferriar Illustr. Sterne iii. 58 The Anatomy of Melancholy..consists chiefly of quotations. 1848 Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 172 In consequence chiefly of his exertions. |