CHIEFLY


Meaning of CHIEFLY in English

I. ˈchēflē, -li adverb

Etymology: Middle English chefly, chiefly, from chef, chief, adjective + -ly

1. : most importantly : above all : principally , preeminently , especially

2. : for the most part : mostly , mainly

II. adjective

Etymology: chief (I) + -ly

: relating or belonging to a chief

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.