mere Definition

mere¹
adj

1. Nothing more than; no better, more important or useful than (a specified thing).

Example: but he's a mere boy
Thesaurus: small, insignificant, minor, little, poor, paltry, petty, simple, common.

Derivative: merely
adverb

Simply; only.

Etymology: 16c: from Latin merus pure, undiluted.

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mere²
noun

1. old use, poetic
Often in English place names: a lake or pool.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon.