1. † a. In early use: In full detail (obs.). b. In direct or plain terms; clearly, explicitly, definitely. † c. With distinct enunciation (obs.).
c. 1380. Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. II. 225. Treuþis þat ben more nedeful ben writun þere more expresly.
1447. Bokenham, Seyntys (Roxb.), 13. I wolde compyle A clere descrypcyoun ful expressely Of alle hyr feturys.
1509. Hawes, Past. Pleas., XIV. ix. The pamflete shewith it expressely.
1551. Robinson, trans. More’s Utop., II. (Arb.), 156. The people … rehearse solempne prayers in woordes expreslye pronounced.
1613. Shaks., Hen. VIII., III. ii. 235. Who dare crosse ’em, Bearing the Kings will from his mouth expressely?
1671. Milton, P. R., II. 3. Him whom they heard so late expressly call’d Jesus.
1755. Young, Centaur, i. Wks. 1757, IV. 116. All which the Scriptures have expressly delivered as catholic truths.
1848. C. Brontë, Jane Eyre, xvii. She must not … think of venturing … unless expressly sent for.
1848. Mill, Pol. Econ., Prelim. Rem. 2–3. It was assumed, either expressly or tacitly … that wealth consisted solely of money.
1892. Law Times, XCII. 158/1. If the backer intends to retain the power of revoking the authority … be must expressly say so.
† 2. Avowedly, directly. Obs.
1393. Gower, Conf., I. 357. For this may every man well wite, That bothe kinde and lawe write Expressely stonden there ayein.
1656. Bramhall, Replic., v. 205. Whom doe the Conclave chuse? An uniuersall Pastor? No, but expressely a Bishop of Rome.
1676. Stillingfl., Def. Disc. Rom. Idol., 534 (J.). The beginning of the worship of Images in these Western parts [was] … expressly against the will of their own Bishop and the Bishop of Rome.
† 3. Of resemblance: Exactly. Cf. EXPRESS a. 1. Obs.
1642. Milton, Apol. Smect. (1851), 285. The child doth … expresly refigure the visage of his Father.
4. Distinctly, positively.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 75. I rede not that whan the serpent came to tempte her [Eue] she was doynge ony thynge expresly good.
1586. A. Day, Eng. Secretary, I. (1625), 68. There be some things that are expresly good in themselues or expresly euill.
1768. W. Gilpin, Ess. Prints (ed. 2), 170. Some of his [Hogarth’s] other pieces, are expressly of this humorous kind.
5. For the express purpose; ‘on purpose.’
1607. Shaks., Timon, II. ii. 32. I Am sent expressely.
1656. B. Harris, Parival’s Iron Age, 101. Felton, who went expresly out of Holland, to sacrifice him [Buckingham] to the hatred of the People.
1774. Pennant, Tour Scot. in 1772, 88. Went … expressly to free the country from marauders.
1879. M. Arnold, Irish Catholicism, Mixed Ess., 102. The Queen’s Colleges, invented expressly for Ireland.
