In a very personal, close, or detailed way; familiar and private in nature.
From Latin 'intimatus' (made intimate), derived from 'intimus' (innermost). The adverb form was created with '-ly' in Middle English.
The word 'intimately' reveals our hierarchy of knowledge—to know something intimately means to know it in its innermost details, suggesting that true understanding requires closeness and time.
Intimately is gendered in contexts where women's intimate knowledge and intellectual authority have been dismissed as emotional or personal rather than analytical. Historically, women's intimate knowledge of topics (e.g., medicine, family law) was valued less than male 'objective' expertise.
Use 'intimately' to credit deep experiential knowledge without gendering it. Recognize intimate expertise equally whether it comes from women or men.
Feminist scholarship and activism have validated intimate knowledge as rigorous expertise, centering women's lived experience in medicine, law, and social science.
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