As an adjective, just means fair, morally right, or based on good reasons. As an adverb, it can mean “exactly”, “only”, or “very recently”, depending on context.
From Old French “juste” meaning “fair, righteous”, from Latin “iustus” meaning “lawful, proper”, from “ius” (law, right). It began as a strongly moral and legal word.
It’s striking that the same word that means “morally fair” also means “only” or “barely” in modern speech. Saying “I’m just asking” can soften or hide the power of what you’re doing. Language quietly lets us shrink big actions with a tiny word.
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