Main Entry: ³mere

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): superlative mer·est

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin merus; akin to Old English āmerian to purify and perhaps to Greek marmairein to sparkle — more at morn

Date: 15th century

1 : having no admixture : pure
2 obsolete : being nothing less than : absolute
3 : being nothing more than <a mere mortal> <a mere hint of spice>

— mere·ly adverb