Both Uses of
hackneyed
in
The Age of Innocence
- In the galleries the enthusiasm was unreserved; in the stalls and boxes, people smiled a little at the hackneyed sentiments and clap-trap situations, and enjoyed the play as much as the galleries did.†
Chpt 13
- it was hateful to find himself the prisoner of this hackneyed vocabulary.
Chpt 31 *hackneyed = unimaginative and filled with overused expressions
Definition:
lacking impact due to too much previous exposure -- especially writing that is unimaginative and filled with overused expressions, ideas, and formulas