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Webster 1913 Edition


Absolutely

Ab′so-lute-ly

,
adv.
In an absolute, independent, or unconditional manner; wholly; positively.

Webster 1828 Edition


Absolutely

AB'SOLUTELY

,
adv.
1.
Completely, wholly, as a thing is absolutely unintelligible.
2.
Without dependence or relation; in a state unconnected
Absolutely we cannot discommend, we cannot absolutely approve, either willingness to live, or forwardness to die.
3.
Without restriction or limitation; as God reigns absolutely.
4.
Without condition, as God does not forgive absolutely, but upon condition of faith and repentance.
5.
Positively, peremptorily, as command me absolutely not to go.

Definition 2024


absolutely

absolutely

English

Adverb

absolutely (not comparable)

  1. In an absolute or unconditional manner; utterly, positively, wholly. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.][1]
  2. Independently; viewed without relation to other things or factors. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.][1]
  3. (grammar) In a manner that does not take an object.

Usage notes

  • Absolutely is not to be confused with intensives such as very or indeed, as it is an unconditional term.

Translations

Interjection

absolutely

  1. Yes; certainly; expression indicating strong agreement. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.][1]

Usage notes

  • Some commentators, especially in England, criticise the interjectional use as having no useful meaning beyond that of yes;[2] however, this assumes that emphasis is useless, which, pragmatically speaking, it isn’t.

Translations

References

  1. 1 2 3 Lesley Brown (editor), The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, 5th edition (Oxford University Press, 2003 [1933], ISBN 978-0-19-860575-7), page 9
  2. “She Literally Exploded : The Daily Telegraph Infuriating Phrasebook”, Christopher Howse and Richard Preston (Constable‧London, 2007; ISBN 978‒1‒84529‒675‒9), page 3

See also