barely

adv

1. (not-comparable)By a small margin.

   “I barely completed my homework. However, I got a score of 5 for it.”

   “It becomes, therefore, no inconsiderable part of science barely to know the different operations of mind,”

   “1925, Walter Anthony and Tom Reed (titles), Rupert Julian (director), The Phantom of the Opera, silent movie ‘It is barely possible you may hear of a ghost, a Phantom of the Opera!’”

   “As our train to Paris dashed through the labyrynthine flyovers at Porchefontaine, barely a mile from Versailles, the 75 m.p.h. limit was already almost attained.”

2. (not-comparable)Almost not at all.

   “The plane is so far away now I can barely see it.”

   “Yes, it is barely visible.”

   “In contrast to what was to come, City were barely allowed any time to settle on the ball in the opening exchanges, with Ashley Young prominent and drawing heavy fouls from Micah Richards and James Milner.”

3. (not-comparable)Recently, just now.

   “I barely got to the store.”

4. (archaic, not-comparable)Merely.

   “Now that fire do's not alwayes barely separate the Elementary parts, but sometimes at least alter also the Ingredients of Bodies […]”

5. (comparable, rare)Openly, clearly, plainly.

   “Firſt here is the Reſurrection of our Saviour barely and poſitively affirmed, whom God hath raiſed up.”

   “And the same feeling appears in the following reign; in 1380 the commons petitioned against the plurality of wars; from time to time we have seen them vigorously endeavouring to limit, direct, and audit the expenditure on the wars, and even attempting to draw distinctions between the national and royal interests in the maintenance of the fortresses of Gascony and Brittany; but when the question is put barely before them they avoid committing themselves.”

   “Remember, I haven’t tried to embroider; I’m just laying the facts barely before you—as barely as I can—to make what you please out of.”

   “The term “brief” may appear somewhat inappropriate, as the legal brief is often a bulky document, but the sense is rather that the ideas are stated barely, without elaboration or persuasive enforcement.”

   “Religion intervenes in the sense that it offers precepts, a code of behavior, for the guidance of believers; poetry, if written in terms of ideals and attitudes which are encompassed by religion, offers not precepts but a dramatic presentation of values. The precepts are stated barely and directly.”