Both Uses of
lurid
in
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
- At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement.†
Chpt 2 *
- Then it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the stones.†
Chpt 2
Definitions:
-
(1)
(lurid) shocking, as from disturbing details of a horrible story, or a color more vivid (bright or deep) than would be expected
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Long ago, lurid referred to a yellowish color or things and from there to things so shocking they make someone turn pale. Later, but still in the 18th century, it was used to describe a vivid red and is still used to describe vivid colors--especially red.