Main Entry:

¹very

Pronunciation:

\ˈver-ē, ˈve-rē\

Function:

adjective

Inflected Form(s):

veri·er; veri·est

Etymology:

Middle English verray, verry, from Anglo-French verai, from Vulgar Latin *veracus, alteration of Latin verac-, verax truthful, from verus true; akin to Old English wǣr true, Old High German wāra trust, care, Greek ēra (accusative) favor

Date:

13th century

1 a: properly entitled to the name or designation : true <the fierce hatred of a very woman — J. M. Barrie> b: actual, real <the very blood and bone of our grammar — H. L. Smith †1972> c: simple, plain <in very truth>2 a: exact, precise <the very heart of the city> b: exactly suitable or necessary <the very thing for the purpose>3 a: absolute, utter <the veriest fool alive> b: unqualified, sheer <the very shame of it>4—used as an intensive especially to emphasize identity <before my very eyes>5: mere, bare <the very thought terrified him>6: being the same one : selfsame <the very man I saw>7: special, particular <the very essence of truth is plainness and brightness — John Milton>

synonyms see same