All 3 Uses of
shrewd
in
The Scarlet Letter
- Would it be beyond a philosopher's research, think ye, gentlemen, to analyse that child's nature, and, from it make a mould, to give a shrewd guess at the father?†
p. 107.9shrewd = smart
- There were men, too, of a sturdier texture of mind than his, and endowed with a far greater share of shrewd, hard iron, or granite understanding; which, duly mingled with a fair proportion of doctrinal ingredient, constitutes a highly respectable, efficacious, and unamiable variety of the clerical species.†
p. 131.5
- Whether the witch had read the minister's thoughts or no, she came to a full stop, looked shrewdly into his face, smiled craftily, and—though little given to converse with clergymen—began a conversation.†
p. 206.6 *shrewdly = in a smart manner
Definition:
smart -- especially in negotiating with people (may infer underhanded dealings)