Solely

adv. Forms: α. 6 sooly, 6–7 solye, solie, 6–8 soly (7 solly, soley). β. 5– solely. [f. SOLE a. + -LY².]

  1.  As a single person (or thing); without any other as an associate, partner, sharer, etc.; alone; occas., without aid or assistance. (Cf. SOLE a. 4.)

  α.  1539.  Elyot, Cast. Helthe, 71. That none of the foure complexions haue sooly … dominion in one man.

1542–3.  Act 34–35 Hen. VIII., c. 5 § 4. Any act or actes lawfully executed in his life by him self solye.

1591.  Lodge, Catharos, B iij. Who meanes to sit solie on Olympus, must suffer no climers.

1606.  G. W[oodcocke], Lives Emperors, in Hist. Ivstine, Ll ij. The younger Andronicus gouerned solye.

1622.  in Foster, Eng. Factories India (1908), II. 146. By the Persians turnd outt of all, and they left solly possessors.

1637.  Decree of Star Chamb., in Milton’s Areop. (Arb.), 13. Any Copy, book or books,… which the … Company of Stationers … haue the right … soly to print.

  β.  1495.  Act 11 Hen. VII., c. 52 § 1. The landes and tenementis that he held solely or joyntly with other.

1599.  Shaks., Hen. V., II. Prol. 4. Now … Honors thought Reignes solely in the breast of euery man.

1611.  Knolles, Hist. Turkes (1638), 243. Solyman shall … be driuen to leaue Asia, to be again by you solely possessed.

1635.  J. Hayward, trans. Biondi’s Banish’d Virg., 55. But grant, that they will defend themselves, tell me, will they doe it solely or joyntly?

1746.  Francis, trans. Horace, Sat., I. i. 6. III. 5.

1806–31.  A. Knox, Rem. (1844), I. 61. Those who … would think themselves solely qualified to mend the Established Church.

1860.  Mozley, Univ. Serm., vii. (1876), 171. For is it true that habit, solely and of itself, does produce positive inclination or affection?

  † b.  Apart from or unaccompanied by others; solitarily. Obs. rare.

  In quot. 1611 passing into adj.

1582.  Stanyhurst, Æneis, III. (Arb.), 93. Thus father Æneas soly … His long dryrye viadge … chaunted.

1611.  Shaks., Wint. T., II. iii. 17. Leaue me solely: goe, See how he fares.

  2.  Only, merely, exclusively; also (contextually), entirely, altogether.

  α.  1588.  Kyd, Househ. Phil., Wks. (1901), 261. It shall suffise me soly to aduise and counsell that [etc.]. Ibid. (1594), Cornelia, I. i. Soly through desire of publique rule, Rome and the earth are waxen all as one.

1628.  J. Doughty, Serm. Church-Schismes, 13. Like hote furious spirits abroad, who delight soly in fights and vproares.

1663.  J. Spencer, Prodigies (1665), 241. God’s Miraculous Works never come forth (like a Jugler’s tricks) soly to make men stare and wonder.

1695.  Woodward, Nat. Hist. Earth, II. 84. The Deluge … was not soley levelled against Mankind, but principally against the Earth that then was.

1710.  Prideaux, Orig. Tithes, iii. 155. The setting out of Tithes, as well as the payment of them, was soly left to the Consciences of men.

  β.  1750.  trans. Leonardus’ Mirr. Stones, 37. Which Diversity proceeds solely from the Diversity of the Substance.

1792.  Burke, Corr. (1844), III. 387. I cannot say it was written solely with a view to the service of that party. I hope its views were more general.

1823.  J. Marshall, Const. Opin. (1839), 264. Spain did not rest her title solely on the grant of the Pope.

1855.  Prescott, Philip II., I. v. I. 62. In all his acts he relied solely on himself.

1885.  Manch. Exam., 21 Feb., 5/3. The questions at issue do not relate solely to Egypt and the Soudan.