the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being exclusive > exclusiveness [preposition] > except or excepting > excepting only (2)
Chiefly Scottish in early use. Except, with the exception of; = save, prep. 2a. Also in †all saving but: excepting only (obsolete).
only but (also but only): (a) only, merely; (b) except only. Now poetic.