All 16 Uses of
approach
in
The Scarlet Letter
- 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.
Chpt 4 (definition 1)approached = got near
- 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.
Chpt 7 (definition 1)approached = moved toward
- In fact, adown the vista of the garden avenue, a number of persons were seen approaching towards the house.
Chpt 7 (definition 1)approaching = moving nearer
- Roger Chillingworth had by this time approached the window and smiled grimly down.
Chpt 10 (definition 1)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.
Chpt 12 (definition 1)approaching = getting nearer
- "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.
Chpt 12 (definition 1)
- 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.
Chpt 15 (definition 2) *approach = speak with someone about something for the first time
- 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.
Chpt 15 (definition 1)approached = come near
- She heard her mother's voice, and approached slowly through the forest.
Chpt 18 (definition 1)approached = moved 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.
Chpt 20 (definition 1)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.
Chpt 21 (definition 1)approach = come near
- 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.
Chpt 22 (definition 1)approaching = getting nearer
- 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!
Chpt 22 (definition 1)
- 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.
Chpt 23 (definition 1)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.
Chpt 23 (definition 1) *
- 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.
Chpt 24 (definition 1)
Definitions:
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(1) (approach as in: approached the city) to get closer to (near in space, time, quantity, or quality)
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(2) (approach as in: approached her with the proposal) to begin communication with someone about something -- often a proposal or a delicate topic