279. The word adverb means joined to a verb. The adverb is the only word that can join to a verb to modify it.
A verb.
When action is expressed, an adverb is usually added to define the action in some way,—time, place, or manner: as, "He began already to be proud of being a Rugby boy [time];" "One of the young heroes scrambled up behind [place];" "He was absolute, but wisely and bravely ruling [manner]."
An adjective or an adverb.
But this does not mean that adverbs modify verbs only: many of them express degree, and limit adjectives or adverbs; as, "William's private life was severely pure;" "Principles of English law are put down a little confusedly."
Sometimes a noun or pronoun.
Sometimes an adverb may modify a noun or pronoun; for example,—
The young man reveres men of genius, because, to speak truly, they are more himself than he is.—Emerson.
Is it only poets, and men of leisure and cultivation, who live with nature?—Id.
To the almost terror of the persons present, Macaulay began with the senior wrangler of 1801-2-3-4, and so on.—Thackeray.