I. mere 1 W3 /mɪə $ mɪr/ BrE AmE adjective ( superlative merest ) [only before noun, no comparative]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: merus 'pure, unmixed' ]
1 . used to emphasize how small or unimportant something or someone is:
She lost the election by a mere 20 votes.
He’s a mere child.
It can’t be a mere coincidence that they left at the same time.
2 . used to emphasize that something which is small or not extreme has a big effect or is important:
The merest little noise makes him nervous.
The mere thought of food made her feel sick.
The mere fact that the talks are continuing is a positive sign.
II. mere 2 BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: 'sea, lake' ]
literary a lake