merest

Variant of mere

adjective merest

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

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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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