Careful Words

conclusion (n.)

conclusion (adv.)

But this denoted a foregone conclusion.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Othello. Act iii. Sc. 3.

She was a wight, if ever such wight were,—

  Des.  To do what?

  Iago.  To suckle fools and chronicle small beer.

  Des.  O most lame and impotent conclusion!

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Othello. Act ii. Sc. 1.

  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.

Old Testament: Ecclesiastes xii. 13.