“ MERE. 1. (From Lat. merus, pure, unmixed; O. Fr. mier) , an adjective primarily indicating something pure and unmixed; thus “mere wine” implied pure and unadulterated wine, as “mere folly” expressed folly pure and simple. Modern usage has, however, given both to the adjective “mere” and the adverb “merely” a deprecatory and disparaging idea, so that expressions like “the mere truth,” a “mere statement of fact,” &c., often convey the impression that they are far from being “mere” in the sense of “entire” or “absolute,” but are, on the contrary, fragmentary and incomplete. ”