mere

柯林斯词典

1. ADJ You use mere to emphasize how unimportant or inadequate something is, in comparison to the general situation you are describing. 只不过[ADJ n] [强调]
...successful exhibitions which go beyond mere success. …不仅仅是成功，而是大获成功的展览。
There is more to good health than the mere absence of disease. 健康不仅仅指不生病，还包括更多。
2. ADJ You use mere to indicate that a quality or action that is usually unimportant has a very important or strong effect. 单单的 (用来指某事虽小却有重要影响)[ADJ n]
The mere mention of food had triggered off hunger pangs. 单单提到食物就引起了阵阵的饥饿感。
3. ADJ You use mere to emphasize how small a particular amount or number is. 只不过 (用于强调数量之少)['a' ADJ amount] [强调]
Sixty percent of teachers are women, but a mere five percent of women are principals. 60％的教师是女性，但只有5％的女性是校长。
4. N a lake or marsh 湖; 沼泽[archaic, DIALECT]

It took a mere five minutes for the world champion to dispose of his opponent .
His tumultuous triumph five years ago now seems a mere footnote in history .
The committee is a mere appendage of the council and has no power of its own.
She had that indefinable something that went beyond mere sex appeal .
A thousand pounds is a mere bagatelle to him.
The mere possibility of a tax increase was enough to enrage him.
Is it really possible that the mere presence of certain actors can doom a TV show?