[on.ly] adj [ME, fr. OE anlic, fr. an one--more at one] (bef. 12c) 1: unquestionably the best: peerless
2: alone in its class or kind: sole "an ~ child"
[2]only adv (14c) 1 a: as a single fact or instance and nothing more or different: merely "has ~ lost one election --George Orwell" b: solely, exclusively "known ~ to him"
2: at the very least "it was ~ too true" 3 a: in the final outcome "will ~ make you sick" b: with nevertheless the final result "won the battles, ~ to lose the war"
4. a: as recently as "~ last week" b: in the immediate past "~ just talked to her" usage The placement of only in a sentence has been a source of studious commentary since the 18th century, most of it intended to prove by force of argument that prevailing standard usage is wrong. After 200 years of preachment the following observations may be made: the position of only in standard spoken English is not fixed, since ambiguity is avoided through sentence stress; in casual prose that keeps close to the rhythms of speech only is often placed where it would be in speech; and in edited and more formal prose only tends to be placed immediately before the word or words it modifies. [3]only conj (14c) 1 a: with the restriction that: but "you may go, ~ come back early" b: and yet: however "they look very nice, ~ we can't use them"
2: were it not that: except "I'd introduce you to her, ~ you'd win her --Jack London"