adv. [f. ACTUAL a. + -LY2.]
† 1. In a way that is characterized by doing; with deeds; practically, actively. Obs.
1587. Golding, De Mornay, v. 50. Now, this vnderstanding is actualle [? read -alie] euerlasting, (that is … in deede) and euerlastingly actuall, (that is … doing).
1651. Hobbes, Leviathan, III. xxxv. 219. Christ shall come … to judge the world, and actually to governe his owne people.
1660. T. Stanley, Hist. Philos. (1701), 135/1. Those who offend actually, are most grievously punished.
† 2. Actively, energetically. Obs.
1470–85. Malory, Morte d’Arth. (1816), I. 137. Then on foot they drew their swords, and did full actually.
3. In act or fact; as opposed to possibly, potentially, theoretically, ideally; really, in reality.
1587. Golding, De Mornay, xv. 232. This minde … hath being and continuance actually and of it selfe, and euen when it is seperated from the body.
1608. Sir H. Wotton, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., I. 261, II. 99. He was heere … actually a Senator.
1775. J. Harris, Philos. Arrangem. (1841), 365. Every substance that actually is, by actually being that thing, actually is not any other. A piece of brass, for example, actually is not an oak.
1782. Priestley, Matter & Spirit, I. Pref. 15. I would have every man write as he actually feels.
1868. Geo. Eliot, F. Holt, 19. She … sat with a fixed look, seeing nothing that was actually present.
1878. Jevons, Prim. Pol. Econ., 52. The rates of interest actually paid in business vary very much.
4. As a present fact, at present, for the time being.
1663. Gerbier, Counsel, 60. Workmen, actually employed in every work.
1699. Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), IV. 567. The Turks have actually evacuated Camineec.
1832. Hallam, Const. Hist. Eng., I. 507. The impeachment of the earl of Middlesex, actually lord treasurer of England.
Mod. The party actually in power.
5. As a matter of fact, in truth, truly; indeed; even. Not said of the objective reality of the thing asserted, but as to the truthfulness of the assertion and its correspondence with the thing; hence added to vouch for statements which seem surprising, incredible, or exaggerated: ‘He has actually sent the letter after all.’
1762. Goldsm., Cit. of World, cxix. (1837), 463. I had some dispositions to be a scholar and had actually learned my letters.
1849. Ruskin, Seven Lamps, iv. § 33, 124. And this principle will be actually found, I believe, to guide the old workmen.
1863. Kemble, Resid. Georgia, 22. This woman actually imagines that there will be no slaves in heaven.
1878. G. Macdonald, Ann. Quiet Neighb., vii. 121. I actually found the door standing open.
