All 5 Uses of
focus
in
Howards End
- Yet she and daily life were out of focus; one or the other must show blurred.†
Part 9 *out of focus = in a state where something cannot be seen clearly
- And at lunch she seemed more out of focus than usual, and nearer the line that divides daily life from a life that may be of greater importance.†
Part 9
- The account was interesting, and she had often pressed him for it before, but she could not attend now, for her mind was focussed on the invisible.†
Part 10 *focussed = concentratedunconventional spelling: Most English-speaking regions prefer to spell this focused.
- Helen, agreeing here, disagreeing there, would have talked till midnight, but Margaret, with her packing to do, focussed the conversation on Henry.†
Part 23
- She alters her focus until trivial things are blurred.†
Part 43
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.