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focus
used in The Help

3 meanings, 6 uses
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1  —1 use as in:
Turn your focus to question #2.
Definition
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)
  • He turns and focuses on me for what, I'm pretty sure, is the first time all night. After several long moments of standing there being looked at, my eyes fill with tears.
    Chapter 9 (82% in)
focuses = looks
There are no more uses of "focus" flagged with this meaning in The Help.

Typical Usage  (best examples)
Dictionary / pronunciation — Google®Dictionary / more samples — Oxford® USDictionary list — Onelook.com®
2  —1 use as in:
bring into focus; or out of focus
Definition
a state where something has come into view or can be seen clearly

(Typically this is said of the appearance of an image or picture, but it can also be said of something that get's attention, or of an understanding that become clear.)
  • Hour after hour, in Aibileen's kitchen, she reads her writing and I type, the details thickening, the babies' faces sliding into focus.
    Chapter 12 (2% in)
focus = view (a state where something can be seen clearly)
There are no more uses of "focus" flagged with this meaning in The Help.

Typical Usage  (best examples)
Dictionary / pronunciation — Google®Dictionary / more samples — Oxford® USDictionary list — Onelook.com®
3  —4 uses as in:
The camera focuses automatically
Definition
to adjust a lens to make an image clear
  • Or did he shake my brain pan loose and I'm over there dead on the ground... I try to focus my eyes.
    Chapter 24 (44% in)
focus = adjust (to see clearly)
Other Uses (with this meaning)
  • I focus my eyes, smile at Mae Mobley funning around.
    Chapter 15 (66% in)
    • focus = adjust (to see clearly)
  • Miss Leefolt so pregnant she can't barely focus her eyes.
    Chapter 23 (10% in)
    • focus = adjust (to see clearly)
  • I stand up straighter, make myself focus my eyes before this turns into a homicide.
    Chapter 24 (46% in)
focus = adjust (to see clearly)
There are no more uses of "focus" flagged with this meaning in The Help.

Typical Usage  (best examples)
Dictionary / pronunciation — Google®Dictionary / more samples — Oxford® USDictionary list — Onelook.com®