onlya.[OE. only, anly, onlich, AS. nlic, i.e., onelike. See One, and Like, a.]1. One alone; single; as, the only man present; his only occupation.()2. Alone in its class; by itself; not associated with others of the same class or kind; as, an only child.()3. Alone, by reason of superiority; preminent; chief.(Shak.)adv.[See Only, a.]1. In one manner or degree; for one purpose alone; simply; merely; barely.()And to be loved himself, needs only to be known. (Dryden.)2. So and no otherwise; no other than; exclusively; solely; wholly.(Beau. & Fl.)Every imagination . . . of his heart was only evil. (Gen. vi. 5.)3. Singly; without more; as, only-begotten.()4. Above all others; particularly.()His most only elected mistress. (Marston.)conj. Save or except (that); -- an adversative used elliptically with or without that, and properly introducing a single fact or consideration.()He might have seemed some secretary or clerk . . . only that his low, flat, unadorned cap . . . indicated that he belonged to the city. (Sir W. Scott.)