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mere1 definition

mere (mir)

adjective merest mer′·est

  1. nothing more or other than; only (as said to be) a mere boy
  2. Obsolete unmixed; pure
  3. Obsolete absolute; downright

Etymology: ME < L merus, unmixed, pure < IE base *mer-, to sparkle > morning, OE amerian, to purify

mere2 definition

mere (mir)

noun

  1. Old Poet. a lake or pond
  2. Brit., Dialectal a marsh
  3. Obsolete
    1. the sea
    2. an arm of the sea

Etymology: ME < OE: see mare

mere3 definition

mere (mir)

noun

Chiefly Brit., Now Dial. a boundary

Etymology: ME < OE (ge)mære < IE base *mei-, to secure, a post, wooden wall > L murus, wall

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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