| 释义 |
primarily, adv.
(ˈpraɪmərɪlɪ; also increasingly, following Amer. usage, praɪˈmɛərɪlɪ)
[f. primary a. + -ly2.]
1. a. In the first order in time or temporal sequence; at first, in the first instance, firstly; originally.
1631Gouge God's Arrows iii. §2. 182 Amalek, the man..from whom the name was primarily taken. 1852Robertson Serm. Ser. iii. xiv. 170 Which originated primarily in the oriental schools of philosophy. 1897M. Kingsley W. Africa 657 These men, although primarily Africans, had by their deportation from Africa in the course, in some cases, of only one generation, lost the power of resistance to the deadly malarial climate their forefathers possessed.
†b. In its primary or original sense or first meaning; as first used, in its first intention. rare.
1617Donne Serm., Ps. lv. 19 (1661) III. 99 Elohim..a name primarily rooted in power and strength. 1640J. Stoughton Def. & Distrib. Divinity i. 8 Signifying primarily habits of the understanding. 1724A. Collins Gr. Chr. Relig. 42 Literally, obviously, and primarily understood. Ibid. 265 In interpreting the celebrated prophecy of Isaiah [he] refers it primarily to the Prophet's own Son.
2. With reference to other than temporal order: In the first place, first of all, pre-eminently, chiefly, principally; essentially.
1620T. Granger Div. Logike 66 Because it issueth immediately, and primarily from the forme, or essence. a1638Mede Wks. (1672) 880 The Apocalyps is properly and primarily the Gentiles Prophecy,..and of the Jews but by accident and coincidence only. 1664Power Exp. Philos. iii. 162 The World was not made Primarily, nor Solely for the use of Man. 1719Waterland Vind. Christ's Div. 183 The Father is primarily, and the Son secondarily, or immediately, Author of the World. 1825Macaulay Ess., Milton (1887) 17 Their hostility was primarily not to popery but to tyranny. 1859Mill Liberty iii. (1865) 33/1 It is desirable, in short, that in things which do not primarily concern others, individuality should assert itself. |