Both Uses of
inarticulate
in
The Scarlet Letter
- …such affinity with his patient's, that this last shall unawares have spoken what he imagines himself only to have thought; if such revelations be received without tumult, and acknowledged not so often by an uttered sympathy as by silence, an inarticulate breath, and here and there a word to indicate that all is understood; if to these qualifications of a confidant be joined the advantages afforded by his recognised character as a physician;—then, at some inevitable moment, will the…†
Chpt 9
- She broke continually into shouts of a wild, inarticulate, and sometimes piercing music.†
Chpt 21 *
Definition:
-
(inarticulate) unable to communicate clearly (or to use words)
or (more rarely): a feeling or idea that is not expressedThe exact meaning of inarticulate depends upon its context. For example:- unable to find good words to express oneself -- as in "She gets inarticulate when she's nervous."
- verbally expressing a feeling without words -- as in "She uttered an inarticulate cry of despair."
- unable to make oneself heard and understood -- as in "She mumbled inarticulately."
- unable to speak -- as in "She was inarticulate with rage."
- a feeling or idea that is not expressed -- as in "We shared an inarticulate fear."
- inability to express or understand feelings or ideas -- as in "She is emotionally inarticulate, " or "Her symphony is inarticulate."