/cheef"lee/ , adv.
1. primarily; essentially: He phoned chiefly to let us know he was feeling better.
2. mainly; mostly: This dish consists chiefly of noodles.
adj.
3. of, pertaining to, or like a chief: his chiefly responsibilities.
[ 1300-50; ME; see CHIEF, -LY ]
Syn. 1, 2. See especially .