finallyadv.
/ˈfʌɪnəli/, /ˈfʌɪnl̩i/, U.S. /ˈfaɪn(ə)li/ 1. quasi-adverb.1874 T. B. Aldrich Prudence Palfrey x. 174 The poor old parson's interminable ninthlies and finallies.
a. In the end, lastly, at last, ultimately.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > end or conclusion > [adverb]
afinec1325
finallyc1374
conclusively1638
ad extremum1640
eventually1667
last1667
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde iii. 1006 For þer-with mene I fynaly þe peyne..Fully to slen.
1447 O. Bokenham Lyvys Seyntys (1835) 2 What was the entent Of the auctour fynally.
c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn l. 1521 Fynallich, to the ende of hir accordement.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lix. 206 Fynally the forse of the paynyms was so gret that at length they coude not abyde it.
a1610 J. Healey tr. Cebes' Table in tr. Epictetus Manuall (1636) 134 And finally, confirmeth the body in perfect soundnesse.
1726 Bp. J. Butler 15 Serm. iii. 54 Evil prevailing finally over Good.
1825 J. Neal Brother Jonathan I. 8 Finally, after having beaten him at everything else, he beat him at his own..game.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. ix. 64 We finally swerved to the right.
b. Indicating the last point or conclusion of a discourse, treatise, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > preceding or following in order > [adverb] > last or after all the others > lastly
alastc1225
lasta1460
finally1526
lastly1594
postreme1658
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection Pref. sig. Aiii Finally I beseche all..to pray for me wretche.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Cor. xiii. 11 Finally, brethren, farewell. View more context for this quotation
1743 J. Morris Serm. vii. 206 Finally, let us all fear God.
2. So as to make a complete end; in a manner not to be reversed or altered; once for all, decisively, conclusively.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > end or conclusion > [adverb] > finally or in conclusion
endlyc1410
finably1483
finally1512
conclusively1552
conclusionally1574
finially1588
endingly1611
ultimately1785
terminatively1872
1512 Act 4 Hen. VIII c. 18 §14 All manner of Officers..[shall] be utterlye acquyted & fynallye discharged for ever.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 10802 Lest his folke in the feld were fynally distroyet.
1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine iii. 430 Devils he cast out of men so finally, that they entred no more into them.
1694 R. South 12 Serm. II. 312 Many Men are finally lost.
1801 J. Foster Let. 17 Feb. in Life & Corr. J. Foster (1846) I. 130 Finally settle the great account.
1884 Manch. Examiner 28 May 5/4 The arrangement..would..deal finally and effectually with a national question.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.c1374