| 释义 |
certainly, adv.|ˈsɜːtənlɪ|
[f. certain a. + -ly2.]
1. In a manner that is certain; in a way that may be surely depended on; with certainty.
a1300Cursor M. 16232 (Gött.), Gode men quat es þan ȝur dome, sais me sertainli [Cott. certanli]. 1509Hawes Past. Pleas. xxiv. viii, Nor yet the handes fele nothyng certaynly. 1649Bounds Publ. Obed. 17 Those things are certainlyer knowne to us. 1793Wollaston in Phil. Trans. LXXXIII. 150 This was made more certainly steady. 1863Fr. Kemble Resid. Georgia 37, I can not ascertain very certainly. 1875Jevons Money (1878) 44 The earliest tin coinage of which any thing is certainly known.
b. With certainty as to quality, amount, etc.; definitely, precisely, exactly. ? Obs.
c1460Fortescue Abs. & Lim. Mon. (1714) 44 The Kyngs Werks [fortifications], of which the yerely Expensis may not certeynly be estemyd. 1588Lambarde Eiren. ii. ii. 110 To take sufficient Suertie, in a summe certainly prescribed. a1626Bacon Use Com. Law 12 Except the punishment be certainly appointed by speciall Statutes.
2. Without fail, unfailingly, infallibly.
a1300Cursor M. 9270 (Gött.), ‘Jesse’, he said, ‘of his rotyng Certaynly a wand suld spring.’ c1440Gesta Rom. i. 2 (Harl. MS.), If thou do not, certenly thy ymage shalle be smytene, and thou bothe. 1607Hieron Wks. I. 189 The Lord will..certenly recompence them their sinne into their bosome. 1711Steele Spect. No. 155 ⁋5 Merchants..who call in as certainly as they go to 'Change. 1813Southey March Moscow 4 Morbleu! Parbleu! And he'll certainly march to Moscow!
b. Fixedly, so as not to be altered.
1591Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, v. i. 37 Therefore are we certainly resolu'd, To draw conditions of a friendly peace. 1704Rowe Ulyss. v. i. 2041 'Tis certainly decreed, Fix'd as that Law by which Imperial Jove Ordains..to Good or Evil.
3. With subjective certitude, with assurance, surely.
a1300Cursor M. 5834 And certainli þou vnderstand Al that þou draus vte o þat flod It sal be turnd al in-to blod. c1450Lonelich Grail xii. 483 How knowest thou this so certeinly? 1622Sparrow Bk. Com. Prayer (1661) 10 What he Commands he accepts most certainly. c1680Beveridge Serm. (1729) I. 364 There is nothing that we know more certainly in this world, than that we know nothing certainly of the other, but what we are taught by God himself. Mod. You ought not to speak so certainly about it.
4. Parenthetically, or as an assurance or admission of the truth of an assertion as a whole: Without doubt; in truth and fact; of a certainty; assuredly, undoubtedly, unquestionably. Certainly there are drawbacks = we may say certainly that, (or, it is certain that) there are drawbacks. Sometimes it expresses an admission of an opponent's contention, to be followed by ‘but’, etc. Often it conveys a strong assent or affirmative reply, as in ‘You were present?’ ‘Certainly.’ ‘Can you recommend him?’ ‘Certainly.’
a1300Cursor M. 17495 Ȝa, sertainli, þat soth it es. c1350Will. Palerne 2653 But sertenli on boþe sides was slayn muche puple. c1450Lonelich Grail xxxi. 152 Ȝit was that schipe..Anoured with diuers iowellis certeinle. 1596Shakes. Merch. V. iii. i. 126 Anthonio is certainely vndone. 1644Evelyn Kal. Hort. (1729) 191 Snow..certainly rots, and bursts your early-set Anemonies. 1712Addison Spect. No. 405 ⁋3 If the Gods were to talk with Men, they would certainly speak in Plato's Stile. 1752Hume Ess. & Treat. (1777) I. 91 Machiavel was certainly a great genius. 1781Trial of Ld. G. Gordon 8 One of Lord George's Counsel applied to the Court..to permit the prisoner to sit down. Lord Mansfield answered, ‘Yes! Certainly’! 1801Foster in Life & Corr. (1846) I. 129, I have certainly learnt much. 1875Jevons Money (1878) 16 We might certainly employ one substance as a medium of exchange. |