All 3 Uses of
focus
in
Lord of the Flies
- Piggy stood behind him, islanded in a sea of meaningless color, while Ralph knelt and focused the glossy spot. Instantly the fire was alight, Piggy held out his hands and grabbed the glasses back.
p. 73.5focused = concentrated sunlight rays by pointing them at the same spot
- Attention focused on Jack.
p. 114.2 *focused = concentrated
- For the first time on the island, Piggy himself removed his one glass, knelt down and focused the sun on tinder.
p. 130.6 *focused = concentrated sunlight rays by pointing them at the same spot (in this case, to start a fire)editor's notes: Tinder is dry wood or some other burnable material used to start a fire.
Definitions:
-
(1)
(focus as in: Turn your focus to question #2.) verb: to concentrate, look at, or pay attention to
noun: the act of concentration, or the ability to concentrate
(to concentrate is to direct attention or effort towards a single thing) -
(2)
(focus as in: The focus of our study is...) where attention is concentrated or directed
-
(3)
(focus as in: bring into focus; or out of focus) a state where something has come into view or can be seen clearly; or an adjustment made to permit a clear view
-
(4)
(focus as with technical usage) technical usage typically involves some sense of center or concentration such as:
- physics — a point where things come together such as the point where light rays meet
- geometry — a fixed reference point (as of a parabola)
- geology — the point of origin of an earthquake
See a comprehensive dictionary for other less common meanings. - (5) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)