adv.
[AS. nearulice.]
1. With little breadth; in a narrow manner.
2. Without much extent; contractedly.
3. With minute scrutiny; closely; as, to look or watch narrowly; to search narrowly.
4. With a little margin or space; by a small distance; hence, closely; hardly; barely; only just; -- often with reference to an avoided danger or misfortune; as, he narrowly escaped.
5. Sparingly; parsimoniously.
6. With close adherence to the literal meaning of a text; as, to interpret narrowly; to construe narrowly; to read narrowly; -- used especially of laws and contracts.
[PJC]
