Literary notes about abound (AI summary)
The term “abound” appears across literary genres to evoke a sense of plentifulness or overflowing abundance, whether referring to physical entities or abstract ideas. In travel writing and nature descriptions, it is a frequent choice by writers like Lewis and Clark [1, 2, 3] and Henri Mouhot [4, 5, 6] to depict rich landscapes teeming with game, trees, and fish [7, 8]. At the same time, authors like Aesop [9] and Washington Irving [10, 11, 12, 13] apply the word metaphorically to suggest an excess of human traits or societal phenomena. Meanwhile, historians and philosophers alike, such as Thomas Carlyle [14, 15, 16] and William James [17, 18], use “abound” to convey the prevalence of ideas, challenges, or even humorous anecdotes. In all these instances, “abound” functions as a powerful descriptor that enhances the vivid imagery and emphasizes the pervasiveness of the subject matter.
- the bottoms in the latter part of the day became wider better timbered and abound in game.
— from The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 by William Clark and Meriwether Lewis - these animals abound in this quarter keeping themselves principally confined to the steep clifts and bluffs of the river.
— from The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 by William Clark and Meriwether Lewis - The river and Creek bottoms abound in Cotton wood trees, tho none of them Sufficiently large for Canoes.
— from The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 by William Clark and Meriwether Lewis - Caoutchouc-trees abound, but are neglected by the inhabitants, who are probably ignorant of their value.
— from Travels in the Central Parts of Indo-China (Siam), Cambodia, and Laos (Vol. 1 of 2) by Henri Mouhot - The forests abound with magnificent trees, particularly teak.
— from Travels in the Central Parts of Indo-China (Siam), Cambodia, and Laos (Vol. 1 of 2) by Henri Mouhot - The markets of Siam and Laos abound in natural products, such as tobacco, cotton, sugar, spice, and dyes.
— from Travels in the Central Parts of Indo-China (Siam), Cambodia, and Laos (Vol. 1 of 2) by Henri Mouhot - —Red Eagle Lake and Red Eagle Creek, both above and below the lake, abound in large cutthroat trout, some attaining the weight of 7 pounds.
— from Glacier National Park [Montana] by United States. Department of the Interior - [pg 17] H2 anchor WHAT TO DO AND SEE FISHING The waters of Glacier National Park abound in fish.
— from Glacier National Park [Montana] by United States. Department of the Interior - The Cat replied, “Although you abound in specious apologies, I shall not remain supperless;” and he made a meal of him.
— from Aesop's Fables by Aesop - It does not abound in grand and sublime prospects, but rather in little home scenes of rural repose and sheltered quiet.
— from The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey Crayon by Washington Irving - It is one of those little taverns which abound in the heart of the city and form the centre of gossip and intelligence of the neighborhood.
— from The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey Crayon by Washington Irving - This neighborhood, at the time of which I am speaking, was one of those highly favored places which abound with chronicle and great men.
— from The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey Crayon by Washington Irving - They abound in old catches, glees, and choice stories that are traditional in the place and not to be met with in any other part of the metropolis.
— from The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey Crayon by Washington Irving - Couthon proposes that, as Plots still abound, the Law of the Suspect shall have extension, and Arrestment new vigour and facility.
— from The French Revolution: A History by Thomas Carlyle - Complaints abound; scarcity, anxiety: it is a changed Oeil-de-Boeuf.
— from The French Revolution: A History by Thomas Carlyle - Meal-mobs abound; growing into mobs of a still darker quality.
— from The French Revolution: A History by Thomas Carlyle - Philosophy and common life abound in similar instances.
— from Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking by William James - Such trivial options abound in the scientific life.
— from The Will to Believe, and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy by William James