Both Uses of
sheer
in
Brave New World
- At their feet lay a straggle of low buildings, a criss-cross of walls; and on three sides the precipices fell sheer into the plain.
p. 107..6 (definition 1) *sheer = so steep it is almost vertical
- For the sake of the labourers; it would be sheer cruelty to afflict them with excessive leisure.
p. 224..8 (definition 2) *sheer = pure (used for emphasis)
Definitions:
-
(1) (sheer as in: a sheer cliff) so steep it is almost vertical
-
(2) (sheer as in: sheer fun) complete or pure -- without restriction, qualification, or other elements (used for emphasis)