mere

Everyday

1. Mere means only, just, no more than: a mere child, a mere five minutes. It makes something sound small or unimportant. tree →
2. The merest means the smallest possible: the merest touch. tree →
3. (old, poetic, place names) A mere is a lake or pond, as in some English place names. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and formal writing: «a mere boy beat the giant», «the mere thought of spiders makes me shiver». In maths problems: «it costs a mere £2» stresses that the amount is small.

Examples

• It was a mere five minutes' walk to school. tree →
• She was a mere child when she learnt to swim. tree →
• The mere sight of the dentist's chair scared him. tree →
• It cost a mere fifty pence. tree →
• At the merest noise, the rabbit ran away. tree →
• The walk took us around the mere. tree →
• I shiver at the mere thought of it.” tree →

Note

Only used before a noun: «a mere child» (not «the child is mere»). Adverb: merely (only). In maths, «a mere 3» still equals 3; the word adds feeling, not a different number.

In Jewish tradition

In stories and formal writing: «a mere boy beat the giant», «the mere thought of spiders makes me shiver». In maths problems: «it costs a mere £2» stresses that the amount is small.

Examples

• It should probably be understood on one level as a reference to the ten digits of the decimal numeral system, though as we shall see, these Sefirot Belimah are imbued with metaphysical significance beyond mere numerals. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) tree →
• Sayest thou that a mere word of the lips is counsel and strength for the war? (Prophets 2KI.18.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• Surely man walketh as a mere semblance; surely for vanity they are in turmoil; he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. (Writings PSA.39.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Only used before a noun: «a mere child» (not «the child is mere»). Adverb: merely (only). In maths, «a mere 3» still equals 3; the word adds feeling, not a different number.