adv. [f. ULTIMATE a. + -LY2.]
1. In the last resort; when carried to the natural or logical conclusion; fundamentally.
1660. R. Coke, Justice Vind., Pref. 13. If I could not ultimately resolve the Dictates of my Reason as a Christian, into plain places of Scripture.
1690. Locke, Hum. Und., II. i. § 2. In one word, From Experience: in that, all our Knowledge is founded; and from that it ultimately derives it self.
1743[?]. in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. I. 279. To which nevertheless their Immunities must ultimately resort.
1775. Johnson, Tax. no Tyr., 23. All government is ultimately and essentially absolute.
1776. Gibbon, Decl. & F., vi. (1782), I. 185. The young emperor, on whose personal qualities the happiness or misery of the Roman world must ultimately depend.
1835. Newman, Par. Serm. (1837), I. iv. 64. What will it ultimately profit a man to profess without understanding?
1866. Crump, Banking, v. 131. Credit given to the holder of a bill by the person ultimately liable is considered equivalent to payment.
1869. Mozley, Univ. Serm., i. (1877), 18. Every kingdom ultimately depends on moral influence and not on physical force.
2. In the end; at the last: a. As the conclusion or final stage of a process, course of action, etc.
1755. Johnson, Finally, 1. Ultimately; lastly: in conclusion. [Quoting Milton, Samson A., 1296.]
1794. Matthias, Purs. Lit. (1798), 306. All passions submit ultimately … to the inability of gratifying them.
1796. Mme. D’Arblay, Camilla, IX. iii. The heart-breaking event to which it had ultimately led.
1818. Mrs. Shelley, Frankenst., iii. I doubted not that I should ultimately succeed.
1839. G. P. R. James, Louis XIV., III. 235. It became daily apparent to all parties that war must ultimately be the result.
1860. Holland, Miss Gilbert, ii. 19. It was supposed by the gossips of the village that Dr. Gilbert would ultimately marry Aunt Catharine.
1878. Lecky, Eng. in 18th. C., I. iii. 452. It is of the nature of a constitution so formed as ours … ultimately to work well.
b. As a point in a series, or in time.
1818. Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), II. 430. A feoffment was made to the use of the feoffor for his life … and ultimately to the use of himself and his heirs for ever.
1827. Faraday, Chem. Manip., ii. (1842), 37. It economises time to have the smaller weights arranged in order … and ultimately the large weights.
1880. Trollope, Duke’s Children, I. iii. 35. Frank’s mother … would sometimes surmise … that the entire property must ultimately come to him.
1884. Thomson, Tumours of Bladder, 33. He … suffered much for a long time; ultimately there was some improvement.
3. In a final or conclusive manner; definitely.
1785. Jefferson, Corr., Wks. 1859, I. 342. These questions, however, cannot be decided, ultimately, at this day. Ibid. (1793), Writ. (1830), IV. 479. It had no right to dismember or alienate any portion of territory once ultimately consolidated with us.
1798. S. & Ht. Lee, Canterb. T., II. 206. Yet nothing but a favourable judgment from the civilians in England could ultimately relieve [his] mind.
