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Wordnet 3.0

ADJECTIVE (2)

1. being the only one; single and isolated from others;
- Example: "the lone doctor in the entire county"
- Example: "a lonesome pine"
- Example: "an only child"
- Example: "the sole heir"
- Example: "the sole example"
- Example: "a solitary instance of cowardice"
- Example: "a solitary speck in the sky"
[syn: lone(a), lonesome(a), only(a), sole(a), solitary(a)]

2. exclusive of anyone or anything else;
- Example: "she alone believed him"
- Example: "cannot live by bread alone"
- Example: "I'll have this car and this car only"
[syn: alone(p), only]


ADVERB (7)

1. and nothing more;
- Example: "I was merely asking"
- Example: "it is simply a matter of time"
- Example: "just a scratch"
- Example: "he was only a child"
- Example: "hopes that last but a moment"
[syn: merely, simply, just, only, but]

2. without any others being included or involved;
- Example: "was entirely to blame"
- Example: "a school devoted entirely to the needs of problem children"
- Example: "he works for Mr. Smith exclusively"
- Example: "did it solely for money"
- Example: "the burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone"
- Example: "a privilege granted only to him"
[syn: entirely, exclusively, solely, alone, only]

3. with nevertheless the final result;
- Example: "He arrived only to find his wife dead"
- Example: "We won only to lose again in the next round"

4. in the final outcome;
- Example: "These news will only make you more upset"

5. except that;
- Example: "It was the same story only this time she came out better";

6. never except when;
- Example: "call me only if your cold gets worse"
[syn: only, only if, only when]

7. as recently as;
- Example: "I spoke to him only an hour ago"


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Only \On"ly\, a. [OE. only, anly, onlich, AS. [=a]nlic, i.e., onelike. See One, and Like, a.] 1. One alone; single; as, the only man present; his only occupation. [1913 Webster] 2. Alone in its class; by itself; not associated with others of the same class or kind; as, an only child. [1913 Webster] 3. Hence, (figuratively): Alone, by reason of superiority; preeminent; chief. "Motley's the only wear." --Shak. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Only \On"ly\, adv. [See Only, a.] 1. In one manner or degree; for one purpose alone; simply; merely; barely. [1913 Webster] And to be loved himself, needs only to be known. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 2. So and no otherwise; no other than; exclusively; solely; wholly. "She being only wicked." --Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster] Every imagination . . . of his heart was only evil. --Gen. vi. 5. [1913 Webster] 3. Singly; without more; as, only-begotten. [1913 Webster] 4. Above all others; particularly. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] His most only elected mistress. --Marston. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Only \On"ly\, conj. Save or except (that); -- an adversative used elliptically with or without that, and properly introducing a single fact or consideration. [1913 Webster] He might have seemed some secretary or clerk . . . only that his low, flat, unadorned cap . . . indicated that he belonged to the city. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

only adv 1: and nothing more; "I was merely asking"; "it is simply a matter of time"; "just a scratch"; "he was only a child"; "hopes that last but a moment" [syn: merely, simply, just, only, but] 2: without any others being included or involved; "was entirely to blame"; "a school devoted entirely to the needs of problem children"; "he works for Mr. Smith exclusively"; "did it solely for money"; "the burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone"; "a privilege granted only to him" [syn: entirely, exclusively, solely, alone, only] 3: with nevertheless the final result; "He arrived only to find his wife dead"; "We won only to lose again in the next round" 4: in the final outcome; "These news will only make you more upset" 5: except that; "It was the same story; only this time she came out better" 6: never except when; "call me only if your cold gets worse" [syn: only, only if, only when] 7: as recently as; "I spoke to him only an hour ago" adj 1: being the only one; single and isolated from others; "the lone doctor in the entire county"; "a lonesome pine"; "an only child"; "the sole heir"; "the sole example"; "a solitary instance of cowardice"; "a solitary speck in the sky" [syn: lone(a), lonesome(a), only(a), sole(a), solitary(a)] 2: exclusive of anyone or anything else; "she alone believed him"; "cannot live by bread alone"; "I'll have this car and this car only" [syn: alone(p), only]