Definition of fully

The word "fully" has a fascinating history. It originated in the 14th century from the Old English word "ful", which means "complete" or "entire". This latter sense of "full" is thought to have come from the Proto-Germanic word "*fuliz", which is also the source of the Modern German word "voll". Over time, the prefix "full-" was dropped, and the word "fully" emerged to mean "in a complete or entire manner". Initially, it was used to describe stative verbs, such as "to be fully". Later, it expanded to modify other verbs, adjectives, and adverbs, as in "to fully understand" or "fully awake". Throughout its evolution, "fully" has retained its core meaning of completeness and wholeness.