rarelyadv.

Brit.

/ˈrɛːli/, U.S.

/ˈrɛrli/

Forms: see rare adj.¹, adv.¹, and n. and -ly suffix²; also 1800s rayly (English regional (Lancashire)).

Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: rare adj.¹, -ly suffix².

Etymology: < rare adj.¹ + -ly suffix². Compare earlier rare adv.¹In rarely or ever at Phrases 2b apparently by confusion of rarely if ever and rarely or never , perhaps also influenced by rarely ever at Phrases 2a.

In a rare manner.

a. Thinly, scantily; sparsely.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > [adverb] > here and there at wide intervals > thinly occupied or populated

rarely1523

sparsely1857

1523 T. Cromwell Speech to Parl. in R. B. Merriman Life & Lett. T. Cromwell (1902) I. 40 How should we be Able to possede the large Cuntreye of Fraunce which haue our owne Realme so meruelous rarely storyd of inhabytauntes and hable men.

1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 26 The country aboue, is champion, and not barren, but rarely inhabited.

1641 in W. Stevenson Presbyterie Bk. Kirkcaldie (1900) 193 The brethren in respect of the foullnes of the wether and the shortnes of the meitting to that effect excuses themsefs (being rairlie met).

1719 E. Young Busiris v. 57 Behold thy Troops are thin, Thy Men are rarely sprinkled o'er the Field.

1797 J. Bailey & G. Culley Gen. View Agric. Northumberland (new ed.) viii. 100 They [sc. rich grazing pastures] are so rarely scattered, that few farms are so fortunate as to enjoy so desirable appendage.

1840 T. Ingoldsby Ingoldsby Legends 127 One of the few cottages, rarely sprinkled in that wild country.

1894 Geogr. Jrnl. 4 307 The district is rarely inhabited.

1982 Harvard Stud. Classical Philol. 86 260 These notes are very full for the first Eclogue and are scattered rarely in a few other Eclogues.

2002 S. E. Beaubien et al. in J. Klerkx & B. Imanackunov Lake Issyk-Kul ii. 251 Small fragments of such rocks are found randomly but rarely throughout the phanerocrystalline carbonate stocks.

†b. In a wide-set manner; with a loose or open structure. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > [adverb] > here and there at wide intervals > in a widely spaced manner

rarelya1547

a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil Fourth Bk. Aeneas (1554) iv. sig. Bii^v The hayes so rarely knytte [L. retia rara].

1567 J. Maplet Greene Forest f. 28 Some [trees] thicke and grosly set, as the Cyprusse: some as rarely and thinly disposed as the Beach.

1622 R. Hawkins Observ. Voiage South Sea lix. 136 Shee..being rarely built, and vtterly without fights or defence;..we cleered her deckes in a moment.

1673 J. Ogilby tr. J. Nieuhof Embassy E.-India Company (ed. 2) I. 74 Over these Channels are several Stone Bridges, very rarely built.

1737 P. St. John Fourteen Serm. viii. 262 A Christian on this bottom, is rarely built against a storm.

2. Seldom, infrequently; in few instances.Esp. formerly with superlative rareliest, and with comparative rarelier.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > frequency > infrequency > [adverb]

seldom-whenc888

seldomc897

seld-whenc897

seldoma1000

seldc1000

seldom-timec1386

seld-timec1386

seld-whilea1387

seld-where1390

thinc1405

rare?1440

sendle?a1500

daintilya1513

thinlyc1545

rarely1546

once in a moon1547

out-takingly1549

seldomly1549

for once and away1583

sparingly1590

scarce1596

unfrequently1646

unoften1654

infrequently1673

once in a while1765

sporadically1765

sparselya1871

seldom-while1876

(for) once in a way1891

1546 S. Gardiner Detection Deuils Sophistrie f. xx^v Fewe men (and those but rarely) haue seen a mouse deuoure y^e host.

a1618 W. Raleigh Remains (1664) 121 Benefits are sometimes acknowledged, rarely requited.

1631 R. Bolton Instr. Right Comf. Affl. Consciences Ep. Ded. sig. ¶7^v They are rarelier, and hardlier wrought upon by the Word.

1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. T. Boccalini Ragguagli di Parnasso i. xxxix. 78 Those pretious stones are most esteemed of, which are rareliest found.

1712 E. Budgell Spectator No. 277. ¶16 She was not Talkative, a Quality very rarely to be met with in the rest of her Country-women.

1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters ii. 3 They rarely, if ever..are perfectly frozen.

1806 R. Cumberland Mem. (1807) II. 281 I am very rarely called off by avocations of an undomestic kind.

1861 F. Nightingale Notes on Nursing (new ed.) i. 8 The windows are rarely or never opened.

1933 H. J. Carter Gulliver in Bush 168 The animal could only have been the Tasmanian wolf—rarely seen outside a zoo.

1977 Time Out 28 Jan. 48/2 No choruses but splendid arias..in this rarely-performed work dating from 1725.

1983 N.Y. Times Mag. 6 Mar. 12/2 Rarely does one side in a controversy grab the moral high ground by the coinage of a phrase.

2005 J. Weiner Goodnight Nobody xxvi. 219 The magazine's coverage rarely strayed beyond celebrities and what they were snorting.

3. Unusually or remarkably well; finely, splendidly, excellently.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adverb] > and nobly or splendidly

micklelyeOE

highlyeOE

freelyOE

dearworthlyc1230

gloriously1393

dearworthilya1400

farrandlyc1400

stately?a1439

finely?1552

gallantly1552

goldenly1580

rarely1581

sightly1592

superbly1769

splendidly1774

splendiferously1841

swell1856

in there1944

1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xlv. 301 Our learned princesse, whom God hath so rarely endewed and endowed.

1598 E. Ford Parismus xi. sig. K^v The King of Persia himselfe laie vpon a hill hard by the Cittie, in a Tent most richly and rarely contriued.

1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream i. ii. 25 I could play Ercles rarely .

1668 J. Dryden Sr Martin Mar-all v. 54 I'le instruct him most rarely, he shall never be found out.

a1701 H. Maundrell Journey Aleppo to Jerusalem (1703) 134 A stately Architrave, and Cornish rarely carv'd.

1786 R. Burns Poems 84 Down Pleasure's stream, wi' swelling sails I'm tauld ye're driving rarely.

1828 P. Buchan Anc. Ballads & Songs N. Scotl. I. 87 The swords an the targe, That hang about Charlie; They had sic a glitter, And set him sae rarelie.

1860 ‘G. Eliot’ Mill on Floss II. iii. iii. 34 You can write rarely now, after all your schooling, I should think.

1917 Trenton (New Jersey) Evening Times 12 June 12/3 It is a rarely constructed and beautiful plant.

1932 T. E. Lawrence tr. Homer Odyssey vi Your marriage season..is the very time when you must clothe yourself rarely.

1989 J. Picton & J. Mack Afr. Textiles v. 105 These cloths are both rarely woven and expensive.

1995 J. M. Sims-Kimbrey Wodds & Doggerybaw: Lincs. Dial. Dict. 241/2 Rarely, very well indeed. ‘Ow're ya doin' then, maãte?’ ‘Rarely, thanks, maãte!’

4. To an unusual degree; exceptionally, very.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or extraordinary > [adverb] > exceptionally

outnumenlyc1175

outnumenc1225

rarely1581

notedlya1616

remarkably1615

extraordinary1632

remarkable1782

awesomea1835

undeemously1846

exceptionally1848

noteworthily1864

the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > extremely or exceedingly > remarkably or extraordinarily

outnumenlyc1175

outnumenc1225

disguisilyc1325

notablya1398

speciallya1398

oddc1400

oddlyc1400

singularlyc1430

strangelya1450

notable1481

outragec1540

out-takingly1549

supernaturally1578

rarely1581

extraordinarily1593

signally1598

unvulgarly1602

unexpectedly1605

essentially?1606

remarkably1615

unusually1615

particularly1616

eminently1632

extraordinary1632

markablya1634

considerably1646

surprisingly1661

out-of-the-way1718

unco1724

conspicuouslya1732

heroically1735

uncommonly1751

strikingly1752

uncommon1784

pronouncedly1785

markedly1811

awesomea1835

noticeably1845

rousing1847

exceptionally1848

outstandingly1851

prominently1885

accentedly1904

hella1987

1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xxxviii. 168 Nay do we not see in our country, some of that sex so excellently well trained, and so rarely qualified.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) v. ii. 154 Villain, Dog. O rarely base.

1662 R. Boyle Def. Doctr. Spring & Weight of Air ii. v. 58 It wil agree rarely-well with the Hypothesis.

1668 N. Culpeper & A. Cole tr. T. Bartholin Anat. (new ed.) i. vii. 16 The rarely learned Marcus Aurelius Severinus.

1681 R. Knox Hist. Relation Ceylon 15 It is rarely sweet and pleasing to the pallate.

1715 C. Bullock Woman's Revenge iii. 56 I hope no Body has taken, our House, it stood rarely well..for Business.

1774 R. Warner tr. Plautus Courtezans iv. ix, in B. Thornton et al. tr. Plautus Comedies V. 82 Now Troy's in danger—And rarely well the wooden horse performs.

1823 E. Moor Suffolk Words at Trolley Sich roads! We got rarely jounced i' the trolly.

1866 Macmillan's Mag. Apr. 521 Investigated by..That rarely-gifted Scholar.

1871 B. Taylor tr. J. W. von Goethe Faust II. (1873) iv. iii. 371 Much it needs, to be supported fairly, And careful maintenance will also cost us rarely.

1931 Good Housek. (U.S. ed.) Dec. 106/3 A commanding piece is the rarely fine Sheraton bookcase of mahogany.

1977 Daily Tel. 13 May 18 George Daniels..was rarely honoured in Stockholm yesterday. The Stockholm Watch Guild awarded him its Victor Kullberg Medal, bestowed only three times before.

Phrases

P1. it is (very) rarely that: = it is (very) rare that at rare adj.¹ 4b.

ΚΠ

1662 R. L'Estrange Memento x. i. 166 It is very rarely that such an Indulgence is better Employ'd.

1700 J. Milner Acct. Mr. Lock's Relig. xxx. 133 It is very rarely that true Vertue hath met with such Entertainment in the World.

1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. at Louse He observes, that it is rarely that flies are found infested with them.

1825 G. N. Collingwood in S. Parr Wks. (1828) I. 505 It was rarely indeed that any such request was denied.

1864 S. P. Fox Kingsbridge xiii. 163 It is very rarely that a single way is lost.

1909 Westm. Gaz. 12 Oct. 12/2 It is rarely that a penalty-bully is given in first-class hockey.

1961 N. Roy Black Albino 73 It was rarely that they had the chance to see the strange child with eyes which were unlike any other, and they could not help gaping.

2007 Irish Independent (Nexis) 7 Feb. It's rarely that rugby provides big pay-outs for gamblers.

P2.

a. rarely ever: very rarely, most infrequently (cf. seldom adv. b).

ΚΠ

1679 R. Baxter Nonconformists Plea for Peace viii. 154 Children..who rarely ever come so young to own with any tolerable understanding and seriousness, their Baptismal Covenant.

1684 A. Behn Voy. to Isle of Love 105 in Poems Several Occasions It rarely ever takes its flight, But in the secret shades of night.

1709 D. Manley Secret Mem. (ed. 2) II. 167 They..rarely ever examin into the true Motive.

1760 C. Johnstone Chrysal II. xiii. 250 The situation of those nations is such, that the inhabitants themselves rarely ever travel.

1857 W. Bagehot Lit. Stud. (1879) II. 275 The words of a great poet, in our complex modern time, are rarely ever free from its traces.

1891 H. H. Griffin Athletics 85 The standing long and high jumps are rarely ever heard of.

1914 E. P. Stewart Lett. Woman Homesteader iii. 21 Sometimes it is months before they see another soul, and rarely ever a woman.

1974 Florence (S. Carolina) Morning News 5 Jan. 12/1 She had retreated into a wall of silence which Scott was rarely ever able to penetrate.

2002 P. Blom To have & to Hold (2003) 201 The lives of bibliomaniacs are rarely ever quaint and can be, in extremis, utterly alarming.

b. rarely or ever: seldom or never (cf. seldom or ever at seldom adv. c).

ΚΠ

1692 Arts of Empire xxvi. 223 Forced Promises which concern a whole State, are not binding, and rarely or ever kept.

1766 tr. J.-H.-S. Formey Eccl. Hist. I. xiii. 226 They were..thrown into prisons, from whence they rarely or ever came out, but to the flames.

1768 Woman of Honor I. 139 But those schemes..rarely or ever answer the end.

1811 S. Smith Wks. (1850) 200/1 The contest would rarely or ever take place, where the friends of the Establishment were not numerous enough.

1887 Atlantic Monthly Oct. 511/2 It is a well-known fact that Millet rarely or ever used models.

1911 Times 14 Apr. 11/6 The disease occurs at all times of the year, but is generally observable during wet or damp weather, rarely or ever during intense cold or in hot dry weather.

1968 Rev. Politics 30 516 Compilations in the realm of so-called structural-functional sociology and political ‘science’ are rarely or ever a thankful task.

2003 A. Phillips Lawyers' Lang. iv. 121 Liberty of political expression is so fundamental that it is now rarely or ever put to the test.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	rarely
释义	rarelyadv. Brit. /ˈrɛːli/, U.S. /ˈrɛrli/ Forms: see rare adj.¹, adv.¹, and n. and -ly suffix²; also 1800s rayly (English regional (Lancashire)). Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: rare adj.¹, -ly suffix². Etymology: < rare adj.¹ + -ly suffix². Compare earlier rare adv.¹In rarely or ever at Phrases 2b apparently by confusion of rarely if ever and rarely or never , perhaps also influenced by rarely ever at Phrases 2a. In a rare manner. 1. a. Thinly, scantily; sparsely. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > [adverb] > here and there at wide intervals > thinly occupied or populated rarely1523 sparsely1857 1523 T. Cromwell Speech to Parl. in R. B. Merriman Life & Lett. T. Cromwell (1902) I. 40 How should we be Able to possede the large Cuntreye of Fraunce which haue our owne Realme so meruelous rarely storyd of inhabytauntes and hable men. 1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 26 The country aboue, is champion, and not barren, but rarely inhabited. 1641 in W. Stevenson Presbyterie Bk. Kirkcaldie (1900) 193 The brethren in respect of the foullnes of the wether and the shortnes of the meitting to that effect excuses themsefs (being rairlie met). 1719 E. Young Busiris v. 57 Behold thy Troops are thin, Thy Men are rarely sprinkled o'er the Field. 1797 J. Bailey & G. Culley Gen. View Agric. Northumberland (new ed.) viii. 100 They [sc. rich grazing pastures] are so rarely scattered, that few farms are so fortunate as to enjoy so desirable appendage. 1840 T. Ingoldsby Ingoldsby Legends 127 One of the few cottages, rarely sprinkled in that wild country. 1894 Geogr. Jrnl. 4 307 The district is rarely inhabited. 1982 Harvard Stud. Classical Philol. 86 260 These notes are very full for the first Eclogue and are scattered rarely in a few other Eclogues. 2002 S. E. Beaubien et al. in J. Klerkx & B. Imanackunov Lake Issyk-Kul ii. 251 Small fragments of such rocks are found randomly but rarely throughout the phanerocrystalline carbonate stocks. †b. In a wide-set manner; with a loose or open structure. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > [adverb] > here and there at wide intervals > in a widely spaced manner rarelya1547 a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil Fourth Bk. Aeneas (1554) iv. sig. Bii^v The hayes so rarely knytte [L. retia rara]. 1567 J. Maplet Greene Forest f. 28 Some [trees] thicke and grosly set, as the Cyprusse: some as rarely and thinly disposed as the Beach. 1622 R. Hawkins Observ. Voiage South Sea lix. 136 Shee..being rarely built, and vtterly without fights or defence;..we cleered her deckes in a moment. 1673 J. Ogilby tr. J. Nieuhof Embassy E.-India Company (ed. 2) I. 74 Over these Channels are several Stone Bridges, very rarely built. 1737 P. St. John Fourteen Serm. viii. 262 A Christian on this bottom, is rarely built against a storm. 2. Seldom, infrequently; in few instances.Esp. formerly with superlative rareliest, and with comparative rarelier. ΘΚΠ the world > time > frequency > infrequency > [adverb] seldom-whenc888 seldomc897 seld-whenc897 seldoma1000 seldc1000 seldom-timec1386 seld-timec1386 seld-whilea1387 seld-where1390 thinc1405 rare?1440 sendle?a1500 daintilya1513 thinlyc1545 rarely1546 once in a moon1547 out-takingly1549 seldomly1549 for once and away1583 sparingly1590 scarce1596 unfrequently1646 unoften1654 infrequently1673 once in a while1765 sporadically1765 sparselya1871 seldom-while1876 (for) once in a way1891 1546 S. Gardiner Detection Deuils Sophistrie f. xx^v Fewe men (and those but rarely) haue seen a mouse deuoure y^e host. a1618 W. Raleigh Remains (1664) 121 Benefits are sometimes acknowledged, rarely requited. 1631 R. Bolton Instr. Right Comf. Affl. Consciences Ep. Ded. sig. ¶7^v They are rarelier, and hardlier wrought upon by the Word. 1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. T. Boccalini Ragguagli di Parnasso i. xxxix. 78 Those pretious stones are most esteemed of, which are rareliest found. 1712 E. Budgell Spectator No. 277. ¶16 She was not Talkative, a Quality very rarely to be met with in the rest of her Country-women. 1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters ii. 3 They rarely, if ever..are perfectly frozen. 1806 R. Cumberland Mem. (1807) II. 281 I am very rarely called off by avocations of an undomestic kind. 1861 F. Nightingale Notes on Nursing (new ed.) i. 8 The windows are rarely or never opened. 1933 H. J. Carter Gulliver in Bush 168 The animal could only have been the Tasmanian wolf—rarely seen outside a zoo. 1977 Time Out 28 Jan. 48/2 No choruses but splendid arias..in this rarely-performed work dating from 1725. 1983 N.Y. Times Mag. 6 Mar. 12/2 Rarely does one side in a controversy grab the moral high ground by the coinage of a phrase. 2005 J. Weiner Goodnight Nobody xxvi. 219 The magazine's coverage rarely strayed beyond celebrities and what they were snorting. 3. Unusually or remarkably well; finely, splendidly, excellently. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adverb] > and nobly or splendidly micklelyeOE highlyeOE freelyOE dearworthlyc1230 gloriously1393 dearworthilya1400 farrandlyc1400 stately?a1439 finely?1552 gallantly1552 goldenly1580 rarely1581 sightly1592 superbly1769 splendidly1774 splendiferously1841 swell1856 in there1944 1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xlv. 301 Our learned princesse, whom God hath so rarely endewed and endowed. 1598 E. Ford Parismus xi. sig. K^v The King of Persia himselfe laie vpon a hill hard by the Cittie, in a Tent most richly and rarely contriued. 1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream i. ii. 25 I could play Ercles rarely . View more context for this quotation 1668 J. Dryden Sr Martin Mar-all v. 54 I'le instruct him most rarely, he shall never be found out. a1701 H. Maundrell Journey Aleppo to Jerusalem (1703) 134 A stately Architrave, and Cornish rarely carv'd. 1786 R. Burns Poems 84 Down Pleasure's stream, wi' swelling sails I'm tauld ye're driving rarely. 1828 P. Buchan Anc. Ballads & Songs N. Scotl. I. 87 The swords an the targe, That hang about Charlie; They had sic a glitter, And set him sae rarelie. 1860 ‘G. Eliot’ Mill on Floss II. iii. iii. 34 You can write rarely now, after all your schooling, I should think. 1917 Trenton (New Jersey) Evening Times 12 June 12/3 It is a rarely constructed and beautiful plant. 1932 T. E. Lawrence tr. Homer Odyssey vi Your marriage season..is the very time when you must clothe yourself rarely. 1989 J. Picton & J. Mack Afr. Textiles v. 105 These cloths are both rarely woven and expensive. 1995 J. M. Sims-Kimbrey Wodds & Doggerybaw: Lincs. Dial. Dict. 241/2 Rarely, very well indeed. ‘Ow're ya doin' then, maãte?’ ‘Rarely, thanks, maãte!’ 4. To an unusual degree; exceptionally, very. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or extraordinary > [adverb] > exceptionally outnumenlyc1175 outnumenc1225 rarely1581 notedlya1616 remarkably1615 extraordinary1632 remarkable1782 awesomea1835 undeemously1846 exceptionally1848 noteworthily1864 the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > extremely or exceedingly > remarkably or extraordinarily outnumenlyc1175 outnumenc1225 disguisilyc1325 notablya1398 speciallya1398 oddc1400 oddlyc1400 singularlyc1430 strangelya1450 notable1481 outragec1540 out-takingly1549 supernaturally1578 rarely1581 extraordinarily1593 signally1598 unvulgarly1602 unexpectedly1605 essentially?1606 remarkably1615 unusually1615 particularly1616 eminently1632 extraordinary1632 markablya1634 considerably1646 surprisingly1661 out-of-the-way1718 unco1724 conspicuouslya1732 heroically1735 uncommonly1751 strikingly1752 uncommon1784 pronouncedly1785 markedly1811 awesomea1835 noticeably1845 rousing1847 exceptionally1848 outstandingly1851 prominently1885 accentedly1904 hella1987 1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xxxviii. 168 Nay do we not see in our country, some of that sex so excellently well trained, and so rarely qualified. a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) v. ii. 154 Villain, Dog. O rarely base. View more context for this quotation 1662 R. Boyle Def. Doctr. Spring & Weight of Air ii. v. 58 It wil agree rarely-well with the Hypothesis. 1668 N. Culpeper & A. Cole tr. T. Bartholin Anat. (new ed.) i. vii. 16 The rarely learned Marcus Aurelius Severinus. 1681 R. Knox Hist. Relation Ceylon 15 It is rarely sweet and pleasing to the pallate. 1715 C. Bullock Woman's Revenge iii. 56 I hope no Body has taken, our House, it stood rarely well..for Business. 1774 R. Warner tr. Plautus Courtezans iv. ix, in B. Thornton et al. tr. Plautus Comedies V. 82 Now Troy's in danger—And rarely well the wooden horse performs. 1823 E. Moor Suffolk Words at Trolley Sich roads! We got rarely jounced i' the trolly. 1866 Macmillan's Mag. Apr. 521 Investigated by..That rarely-gifted Scholar. 1871 B. Taylor tr. J. W. von Goethe Faust II. (1873) iv. iii. 371 Much it needs, to be supported fairly, And careful maintenance will also cost us rarely. 1931 Good Housek. (U.S. ed.) Dec. 106/3 A commanding piece is the rarely fine Sheraton bookcase of mahogany. 1977 Daily Tel. 13 May 18 George Daniels..was rarely honoured in Stockholm yesterday. The Stockholm Watch Guild awarded him its Victor Kullberg Medal, bestowed only three times before. Phrases P1. it is (very) rarely that: = it is (very) rare that at rare adj.¹ 4b. ΚΠ 1662 R. L'Estrange Memento x. i. 166 It is very rarely that such an Indulgence is better Employ'd. 1700 J. Milner Acct. Mr. Lock's Relig. xxx. 133 It is very rarely that true Vertue hath met with such Entertainment in the World. 1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. at Louse He observes, that it is rarely that flies are found infested with them. 1825 G. N. Collingwood in S. Parr Wks. (1828) I. 505 It was rarely indeed that any such request was denied. 1864 S. P. Fox Kingsbridge xiii. 163 It is very rarely that a single way is lost. 1909 Westm. Gaz. 12 Oct. 12/2 It is rarely that a penalty-bully is given in first-class hockey. 1961 N. Roy Black Albino 73 It was rarely that they had the chance to see the strange child with eyes which were unlike any other, and they could not help gaping. 2007 Irish Independent (Nexis) 7 Feb. It's rarely that rugby provides big pay-outs for gamblers. P2. a. rarely ever: very rarely, most infrequently (cf. seldom adv. b). ΚΠ 1679 R. Baxter Nonconformists Plea for Peace viii. 154 Children..who rarely ever come so young to own with any tolerable understanding and seriousness, their Baptismal Covenant. 1684 A. Behn Voy. to Isle of Love 105 in Poems Several Occasions It rarely ever takes its flight, But in the secret shades of night. 1709 D. Manley Secret Mem. (ed. 2) II. 167 They..rarely ever examin into the true Motive. 1760 C. Johnstone Chrysal II. xiii. 250 The situation of those nations is such, that the inhabitants themselves rarely ever travel. 1857 W. Bagehot Lit. Stud. (1879) II. 275 The words of a great poet, in our complex modern time, are rarely ever free from its traces. 1891 H. H. Griffin Athletics 85 The standing long and high jumps are rarely ever heard of. 1914 E. P. Stewart Lett. Woman Homesteader iii. 21 Sometimes it is months before they see another soul, and rarely ever a woman. 1974 Florence (S. Carolina) Morning News 5 Jan. 12/1 She had retreated into a wall of silence which Scott was rarely ever able to penetrate. 2002 P. Blom To have & to Hold (2003) 201 The lives of bibliomaniacs are rarely ever quaint and can be, in extremis, utterly alarming. b. rarely or ever: seldom or never (cf. seldom or ever at seldom adv. c). ΚΠ 1692 Arts of Empire xxvi. 223 Forced Promises which concern a whole State, are not binding, and rarely or ever kept. 1766 tr. J.-H.-S. Formey Eccl. Hist. I. xiii. 226 They were..thrown into prisons, from whence they rarely or ever came out, but to the flames. 1768 Woman of Honor I. 139 But those schemes..rarely or ever answer the end. 1811 S. Smith Wks. (1850) 200/1 The contest would rarely or ever take place, where the friends of the Establishment were not numerous enough. 1887 Atlantic Monthly Oct. 511/2 It is a well-known fact that Millet rarely or ever used models. 1911 Times 14 Apr. 11/6 The disease occurs at all times of the year, but is generally observable during wet or damp weather, rarely or ever during intense cold or in hot dry weather. 1968 Rev. Politics 30 516 Compilations in the realm of so-called structural-functional sociology and political ‘science’ are rarely or ever a thankful task. 2003 A. Phillips Lawyers' Lang. iv. 121 Liberty of political expression is so fundamental that it is now rarely or ever put to the test. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < adv.1523
随便看	rubberneck motor-car rubberneck motorcar rubberneck party rubberneck ride rubberneck tour rubberneck tourist rubberneck wagon rubbernecked rubbernecker rubberneckers rubbernecking rubbernecks rubberoid rubberproducing rubberproofed rubberrer rubberrest rubbers rubbersheet geometry rubbersoled rubberstamp rubberstamped rubberstamping rubberstamps rubberstoppered