very

adj

Etymology: From Middle English verray, from Old French verai (“true”), from Early Medieval Latin vērāgus, from Classical Latin vērāx, derived from vērus, from Proto-Italic *wēros, from Proto-Indo-European *weh₁ros. Distantly cognate with the Old English wǣr (“true”). Over time displaced the use of a number of Germanic words or prefixes to convey the sense 'very' such as fele, full-, mægen, sore, sin-, swith, (partially) wel.

1. True, real, actual.

   “the fierce hatred of a very woman”

   “the very blood and bone of our grammar”

2. The same; identical.

   “He proposed marriage in the same restaurant, at the very table where they first met.”

   “That's the very tool that I need.”

3. With limiting effect: mere.

   “The very idea of climbing the ladder brings me out in a sweat.”

   “The very idea/thought!”

adv

Etymology: From Middle English verray, from Old French verai (“true”), from Early Medieval Latin vērāgus, from Classical Latin vērāx, derived from vērus, from Proto-Italic *wēros, from Proto-Indo-European *weh₁ros. Distantly cognate with the Old English wǣr (“true”). Over time displaced the use of a number of Germanic words or prefixes to convey the sense 'very' such as fele, full-, mægen, sore, sin-, swith, (partially) wel.

1. To a great extent or degree.

   “That dress is very you.”

   “Not very many (of them) had been damaged.”

2. Conforming to fact, reality or rule; true.
3. Used to firmly establish that nothing else surpasses in some respect.

   “He was the very best runner there.”

   “This is my very own treehouse.”

name

1. A surname, variant of Verey.