verily
Meaning
In truth; certainly; really (used for emphasis, now chiefly archaic or formal).
Structure
Usage
I verily believe he spoke with the best intentions.
The old prophecy was verily fulfilled.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you," is a recurring phrase in the King James Bible.
Etymology
The word 'verily' is a direct descendant of the Middle English 'verraily', which itself was formed from the adjective 'very' in its original sense of 'true'. The root 'ver-' traces back to the Latin verus, meaning true or real, which is also the source of words like 'verify' and 'veracity'. The adverbial suffix '-ly' was appended to create a formal intensifier meaning "in truth" or "truly". While common in Early Modern English, particularly in religious and solemn contexts, its usage has since become largely archaic, preserved in historical texts, liturgical language, and for deliberate stylistic effect.
Analysis
- ver: From Latin verus (true). This root functions as the core semantic base. - i: A connecting vowel, often used in Latin-derived words. - ly: From Old English -līce, an adverbial suffix meaning "in a manner of".