Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
MERE
I. noun see: marine Date: before 12th century an expanse of standing water ; lake , pool ,
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English mǣre; akin to Old Norse landamæri borderland Date: before 12th century boundary ,
III. adjective (superlative merest) see: morn
Date: 15th century
having no admixture ; pure , being nothing less than ; absolute , being nothing more than , merely adverb