Both Uses of
sheer
in
Lord of the Flies
- ...and when one tried to get the thing straight the argument sheered off, bringing up fresh, unpleasant matter.
p. 88..9 (definition 1) *sheered = abruptly changed direction
- So they proceeded after that as if they were climbing a dangerous mountain, until the rocks became an uncompromising cliff, overhung with impossible jungle and falling sheer into the sea.
p. 117..1 (definition 2) *sheer = so steeply as to be almost vertical
Definitions:
-
(1) (sheer as in: sheer to the left) change direction; or to cause such a change of direction -- usually abruptly
-
(2) (sheer as in: a sheer cliff) so steep it is almost vertical