Jackson6612 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
His frock hung loosely, exposing his round throat
His frock hung loosely, exposing his round throat, mossy chest, and short and nervous arm embossed with pugilistic bruises, and quaint with many a device in India ink. - Herman Melville
quaint
a : marked by skillful design <quaint with many a device in India ink — Herman Melville>
[M-W's Col. Dic.]
Question 1:
Had his arm been tattooed using Indian ink?
I believe "device" is used in one of the following senses.
device
1 b : something fanciful, elaborate, or intricate in design
3 : an emblematic design used especially as a heraldic bearing
[M-W's Col. Dic.]
Question 2:
Even when a frock is not hung loosly, a throat would be clearly visible because a frock covers body area below the neck. Is he referring to some particular frock?
Question 3:
"many a device" - I would have written 'many devices' instead. What's the difference between the two?
Please help me with the above questions. It would be kind of you. Thanks.
quaint
a : marked by skillful design <quaint with many a device in India ink — Herman Melville>
[M-W's Col. Dic.]
Question 1:
Had his arm been tattooed using Indian ink?
I believe "device" is used in one of the following senses.
device
1 b : something fanciful, elaborate, or intricate in design
3 : an emblematic design used especially as a heraldic bearing
[M-W's Col. Dic.]
Question 2:
Even when a frock is not hung loosly, a throat would be clearly visible because a frock covers body area below the neck. Is he referring to some particular frock?
Question 3:
"many a device" - I would have written 'many devices' instead. What's the difference between the two?
Please help me with the above questions. It would be kind of you. Thanks.
Top answer
-- Yes Question 2: Even when a frock is not hung loosly, a throat would be clearly visible because a frock covers body area below the neck. -- Round hroat and hairy chest: this is the view Melville wishes the reader to conjure up. He is not concerned with the detail of 18th century shirts.
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Question 1:
Had his arm been tattooed using Indian ink?-- Yes
Question 2:
Even when a frock is not hung loosly, a throat would be clearly visible because a frock covers body area below the neck. Is he referring to some particular frock?-- Round hroat and hairy chest: this is the view Melville wishes the reader to conjure up. He is not concerned with the detail of 18th
Had his arm been tattooed using Indian ink?-- Yes
Question 2:
Even when a frock is not hung loosly, a throat would be clearly visible because a frock covers body area below the neck. Is he referring to some particular frock?-- Round hroat and hairy chest: this is the view Melville wishes the reader to conjure up. He is not concerned with the detail of 18th
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Thanks a lot, Mr Micawber.
If "many a" is higher register, then what would substitute it in informal or modern form as you have already turned down "many devices"?
If "many a" is higher register, then what would substitute it in informal or modern form as you have already turned down "many devices"?
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