Adverb

(en adverb)

In a manner which leaves little question; definitely, clearly.

In a decidedly petulant manner she sat with crossed arms and a frown.

* {{quote-news

, year=2012 , date=April 29 , author=Nathan Rabin , title=TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “Treehouse of Horror III” (season 4, episode 5; originally aired 10/29/1992) citation , page= , passage=In time The Simpsons would, indeed, resort to spoofing such decidedly non-spooktacular fare like E.T and Mr. And Mrs. Smith (both in “Treehouse Of Horror XVIII”) but in 1992 the field was wide-open and the show could cherry-pick the most iconic and beloved fright fare of all time.}}

In a decided or final manner; resolutely.

* 1914 , (Saki), ‘The Lull’, Beasts and Superbeasts :

*:‘We can't,’ said Vera decidedly , ‘we haven't any boats and we're cut off by a raging torrent from any human habitation.’

Adverb

(-)

(degree) By a small margin.

* 1748 , , Oxford University Press (1973), section 8:

It becomes, therefore, no inconsiderable part of science barely to know the different operations of mind,

* 1925 , Walter Anthony and Tom Reed (titles), Rupert Julian (director), The Phantom of the Opera , silent movie

‘It is barely possible you may hear of a ghost, a Phantom of the Opera!’

(degree) Almost not at all.

The plane is so far away now I can barely see it.

Yes, it is barely visible.

* {{quote-news, year=2011

, date=October 23 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Man Utd 1 - 6 Man City , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=In contrast to what was to come, City were barely allowed any time to settle on the ball in the opening exchanges, with Ashley Young prominent and drawing heavy fouls from Micah Richards and James Milner.}}

(archaic) merely.

* 1661 , , page 29,

Now that fire do's not alwayes barely separate the Elementary parts, but sometimes at least alter also the Ingredients of Bodies