Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb In a way that is not whole; partially, incompletely.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • But, these were the mere wanderings of a mind unwholly to detach itself from old companions and associations, though enabled to fix itself steadily on one object, and resolved not to be turned aside by any consideration.

    Oliver Twist 2007

  • So that you have this unwholly combination of Republicans and Democrats that are just shifting all this debt and responsibility to our kids.

    CNN Transcript Jul 14, 2004 2004

  • It would, however, be unwholly safe to conclude from this fact that such a tribunal is unnecessary.

    Fifty Years of Public Service Shelby M. Cullom

  • As we got more and more into debt, breakfast became a hollower and hollower form, and, being on one occasion at breakfast-time threatened (by letter) with legal proceedings, "not unwholly unconnected," as my local paper might put it, "with jewelery,"

    Great Expectations Charles Dickens 1841

  • I have a considerable sympathy with skilled apprentice trained long term employees 'companies going out of business due to the sheer greed of bankers, politicians, lawyers, accountants et al. If we as a nation returned to altruistic employers who were true Engineers in the true sense then we would not be in the unwholly mess we find ourselves in.

    Slugger O'Toole 2009

  • I have a considerable sympathy with skilled apprentice trained long term employees 'companies going out of business due to the sheer greed of bankers, politicians, lawyers, accountants et al. If we as a nation returned to altruistic employers who were true Engineers in the true sense then we would not be in the unwholly mess we find ourselves in.

    Slugger O'Toole 2009

  • As a new mother of a kid who’s starting to drop, throw, crawl, spill, pull up, and generally make an unwholly mess wherever he turns, I’d rather go somewhere we’re welcome like open gym or the one a family friendlt restaurant of which there are many in Vancouver, and they’re good.

    Last Time I Checked, Babies Were People Too - Her Bad Mother 2010

  • As we got more and more into debt breakfast became a hollower and hollower form, and, being on one occasion at breakfast-time threatened (by letter) with legal proceedings, "not unwholly unconnected," as my local paper might put it, "with jewellery," I went so far as to seize the Avenger by his blue collar and shake him off his feet - so that he was actually in the air, like a booted Cupid - for presuming to suppose that we wanted a roll.

    Great Expectations Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870 1861

  • As we got more and more into debt, breakfast became a hollower and hollower form, and, being on one occasion at breakfast-time threatened (by letter) with legal proceedings, ` not unwholly unconnected, 'as my local paper might put it, ` with jewellery,' I went so far as to seize the Avenger by his blue collar and shake him off his feet -- so that he was actually in the air, like a booted Cupid -- for presuming to suppose that we wanted a roll.

    Great Expectations 1860

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