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Literary notes about short (AI summary)

The term “short” is wielded with remarkable versatility in literary works, often to denote brevity in time, physical dimensions, or even in tone. In some contexts, it succinctly captures the fleeting nature of moments or actions, as when a pause, a sigh, or the duration of an event is described as “short” ([1], [2], [3]). In other cases, it portrays physical attributes, such as a brief description of stature or clothing ([4], [5], [6]). Authors also utilize “short” to indicate a summarizing or conclusive remark, effectively condensing complex ideas into a few words ([7], [8]). Whether marking a gesture that cuts off dialogue abruptly ([9], [10]) or describing temporal or spatial limitations ([11], [12]), “short” serves as an expressive modifier that enriches the narrative by emphasizing succinctness and immediacy.
  1. ‘I refrained from looking at him, but I think I heard a short sigh; we took a turn or two in silence.
    — from Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad
  2. It was but a short time I closed my eyes that night.
    — from Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup
  3. But let us come to that which happened a short while ago.
    — from The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
  4. Courtecuisse was given the sobriquet of "Courtebotte"—short-boot.
    — from Repertory of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A — Z by Cerfberr and Christophe
  5. He was nineteen years old, short and broad-backed, with a close-cropped, flat head, and a wide, flat face.
    — from My Ántonia by Willa Cather
  6. His hair, which was short, sleek, and black, was just visible beneath the capacious brim of a low-crowned brown hat.
    — from The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens
  7. In short, Miss Pole was the heroine of the evening, owing to her morning’s encounter.
    — from Cranford by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
  8. In short, Abelard , imagine all the remorse of mind I suffered, and you will not be astonished at my change.
    — from Letters of Abelard and Heloise by Peter Abelard and Héloïse
  9. He cut her short with, “I am going to Kingston.
    — from Emma by Jane Austen
  10. And, to be sure, there seems so much love....” “Kindly pour out the water for me to wash now, please,” Darya Alexandrovna cut her short.
    — from Anna Karenina by graf Leo Tolstoy
  11. There was a short pause; the brandy-and-water had done its work; the amiable countenance of Mr. Pickwick was fast recovering its customary expression.
    — from The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens
  12. As often as [265] you can, open all your windows, if only for a short time in bad weather; in fine weather, keep them open, but never sit in draughts.
    — from The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness by Florence Hartley

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