Both Uses of
sheer
in
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
- Over and over, hour after hour, the men moved, hauling the ship by the sheer force of straining muscle and gasping breath.
p. 21.5sheer = pure (used for emphasis)
- Her first surge of relief soon died away, and her thoughts, numbed by the sheer terror of pursuit, began to stir again in hopeless circles.
p. 189.1 *sheer = complete
Definitions:
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(1)
(sheer as in: a sheer blouse) typically of fabric: very thin and delicate -- often transparent
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(2)
(sheer as in: sheer fun) complete or pure -- without restriction, qualification, or other elements (used for emphasis)
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(3)
(sheer as in: a sheer cliff) so steep it is almost vertical
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(4)
(sheer as in: sheer to the left) change direction; or to cause such a change of direction -- usually abruptly
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(5)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Sheer can also be an alternative spelling for shear (to cut).