mainly

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   for the most part

   They are mainly interested in butterflies.

2. 2
   adv

   Chiefly; for the most part.

   She had Lord James' collar in one big fist and she pounded the table with the other and talked a blue streak. Nobody could make out plain what she said, for she was mainly jabbering Swede lingo, but there was English enough, of a kind, to give us some idee.

3. 3
   adv

   Forcefully, vigorously.

   Such breadth of ſhoulders as might mainely beare Olde Atlas burthen, […]

4. 4
   adv

   Of the production of a sound: loudly, powerfully.

   But in the end, mainly crying out, he fell to raling and wringing his master, upbraiding him that he was not a true Philosopher[…].

5. 5
   adv

   To a great degree; very much.

Etymology

From Middle English maynly; equivalent to main + -ly.