merely: adv.单;只;纯粹;全然。 merely a matter of form 完全是一个形式问题。 not merely ... but also 不仅…而且 (She was not merely beautiful, but (also) talented. 她不仅长得美,而且有才干)。
I had imagined it to be merely a gesture of affection , but it seems it is to smell the lamb and make sure that it is her own 原来我以为这不过是一种亲热的表示,但是现在看来,这是为了闻一闻羊羔的味道,来断定是不是自己生的。