APPROACH in THE SCARLET LETTER

2 meanings, 16 uses

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1 —9 uses as in:
approached the city

Definition

to get closer to

Near this latter spot, one afternoon some children were at play, when they beheld a tall woman in a gray robe approach the cottage-door.
Chapter 24 -- Conclusion (58% in)

approach = get near

Other Uses (with this meaning)

As night approached, it proving impossible to quell her insubordination by rebuke or threats of punishment, Master Brackett, the jailer, thought fit to introduce a physician.
Chapter 4 -- The Interview (2% in)

approached = got near

In fact, adown the vista of the garden avenue, a number of persons were seen approaching towards the house.
Chapter 7 -- The Governor's Hall (98% in)

approaching = moving nearer

Roger Chillingworth had by this time approached the window and smiled grimly down.
Chapter 10 -- The Leech and his Patient (51% in)

approached = moved near

His eyes, however, were soon greeted by a little glimmering light, which, at first a long way off was approaching up the street.
Chapter 12 -- The Minister's Vigil (24% in)

approaching = getting nearer

It is singular, however, how long a time often passes before words embody things; and with what security two persons, who choose to avoid a certain subject, may approach its very verge, and retire without disturbing it.
Chapter 20 -- The Minister in a Maze (89% in)

approach = get near

After parting from the physician, the commander of the Bristol ship strolled idly through the market-place; until happening to approach the spot where Hester Prynne was standing, he appeared to recognise, and did not hesitate to address her.
Chapter 21 -- The New England Holiday (88% in)

approach = come near

As the ranks of military men and civil fathers moved onward, all eyes were turned towards the point where the minister was seen to approach among them.
Chapter 23 -- The Revelation of the Scarlet Letter (33% in)

approach = get near

They beheld the minister, leaning on Hester's shoulder, and supported by her arm around him, approach the scaffold, and ascend its steps; while still the little hand of the sin-born child was clasped in his.
Chapter 23 -- The Revelation of the Scarlet Letter (60% in)

approach = get near

There are no more uses of "approach" flagged with this meaning in The Scarlet Letter.

Typical Usage (best examples)

2 —1 use as in:
approached her with the proposal

Definition

to begin communication with someone about something — often a proposal or a delicate topic

The thought occurred to Hester, that the child might really be seeking to approach her with childlike confidence, and doing what she could, and as intelligently as she knew how, to establish a meeting-point of sympathy.
Chapter 15 -- Hester and Pearl (62% in)

approach = speak with someone about something for the first time

There are no more uses of "approach" flagged with this meaning in The Scarlet Letter.

Typical Usage (best examples)

? —6 uses
exact meaning not specified

She heard her mother's voice, and approached slowly through the forest.
Chapter 18 -- A Flood of Sunshine (79% in)

They approached the door, which was of an arched form, and flanked on each side by a narrow tower or projection of the edifice, in both of which were lattice-windows, the wooden shutters to close over them at need.
Chapter 7 -- The Governor's Hall (50% in)
"Yes; it is Hester Prynne!" she replied, in a tone of surprise; and the minister heard her footsteps approaching from the side-walk, along which she had been passing.
Chapter 12 -- The Minister's Vigil (48% in)
But now the idea came strongly into Hester's mind, that Pearl, with her remarkable precocity and acuteness, might already have approached the age when she could have been made a friend, and intrusted with as much of her mother's sorrows as could be imparted, without irreverence either to the parent or the child.
Chapter 15 -- Hester and Pearl (71% in)
Before Hester Prynne could call together her thoughts, and consider what was practicable to be done in this new and startling aspect of affairs, the sound of military music was heard approaching along a contiguous street.
Chapter 22 -- The Procession (1% in)
And thus much of woman was there in Hester, that she could scarcely forgive him—least of all now, when the heavy footstep of their approaching Fate might be heard, nearer, nearer, nearer!
Chapter 22 -- The Procession (36% in)

There are no more uses of "approach" in The Scarlet Letter.

Typical Usage (best examples)

approach used in The Scarlet Letter