Both Uses of
inarticulate
in
Call It Sleep
- The inarticulate flame that had pulsed within him, wavered and went out He sighed, bent over and picked up the wheel.†
Book 1 *inarticulate = unable to express oneself clearly; or not expressed clearly
- He couldn't tell now why he had gone, except that something had forced him, something that was clear then and inevitable, but that every passing minute made more inarticulate.†
Book 4
Definition:
unable to communicate clearly (or to use words)
or (more rarely): a feeling or idea that is not expressed
or (more rarely): a feeling or idea that is not expressed
The exact meaning of inarticulate depends upon its context. For example:
- unable to find good words to express oneself -- as in "She gets inarticulate when she's nervous."
- verbally expressing a feeling without words -- as in "She uttered an inarticulate cry of despair."
- unable to make oneself heard and understood -- as in "She mumbled inarticulately."
- unable to speak -- as in "She was inarticulate with rage."
- a feeling or idea that is not expressed -- as in "We shared an inarticulate fear."
- inability to express or understand feelings or ideas -- as in "She is emotionally inarticulate, " or "Her symphony is inarticulate."