Literary notes about breadth (AI summary)
The word "breadth" in literature serves as a versatile descriptor that can indicate physical dimensions as well as metaphorical expansiveness. In many texts it is used to denote measurable width or extent, as seen in discussions about territories and structures—for instance, Strabo’s geographical accounts and architectural measurements in ancient works [1], [2], [3]. At the same time, authors employ "breadth" to evoke a sense of overall scope or inclusiveness, such as describing the comprehensive range of an abstract quality or even a life itself [4], [5]. Additionally, the term appears in nuanced expressions like “hair's-breadth,” highlighting moments of near-miss or precision in judgment [6], [7]. Thus, across different genres, "breadth" enriches the text by bridging concrete measurement with broader, often symbolic implications.
- Two of these are very broad, exceeding a plethrum in breadth, and cut one another at right angles.
— from The Geography of Strabo, Volume 3 (of 3) by Strabo - The breadth in the interior of the country from Susa to Persepolis is 4200 stadia, and thence to the borders of Carmania 1600 stadia more.
— from The Geography of Strabo, Volume 3 (of 3) by Strabo - Of this house the length outside is one-and-twenty cubits, the breadth is fourteen cubits, and the height eight.
— from An Account of Egypt by Herodotus - I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
— from English Literature by William J. Long - I—yea, all men—are larger and purer by the infinite breadth of that one little life.
— from The Souls of Black Folk by W. E. B. Du Bois - The bull-dog missed by a hair’s-breadth, and cries of praise went up as White Fang doubled suddenly out of danger in the opposite direction.
— from White Fang by Jack London - This, however, is of but little importance to our tale; it will be enough not to stray a hair's-breadth from the truth in the telling of it.
— from The Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to Prose, Vol. VIII (of X) - Continental Europe II.
