Literary notes about engross (AI summary)
In literature, the word "engross" is frequently employed to denote the act of completely absorbing or monopolizing attention, power, or resources. Authors use it to illustrate how individuals or issues can captivate the mind or dominate a situation; for instance, a character might be so consumed by a thought or duty that it entirely occupies his mind ([1]), or a person may be cautioned against stealing someone’s time or affections ([2], [3]). Moreover, the term is applied in political or social contexts to critique the concentration of power or property into a single, dominant force ([4], [5]). In some instances, authors even contrast intellectual engagement with superficial diversion, highlighting that not every captivating subject should wholly engross the mind ([6], [7]).
- It interfered with his studies by day, and he dreamed of it by night, so much did it engross his thoughts.
— from Dr. Jolliffe's Boys by Lewis Hough - “How abominable in you, then, to let me engross her horse as I did all last week!
— from Mansfield Park by Jane Austen - Surely, child, if there was but one man on earth who could please, you would not be so unreasonable as to engross him all to yourself.
— from The History of Emily Montague by Frances Brooke - If he allows his ministers to conduct their trusts without restraint, they soon engross and misuse this power for selfish ends.
— from The Middle Kingdom, Volume 1 (of 2) A Survey of the Geography, Government, Literature, Social Life, Arts, and History of the Chinese Empire and its Inhabitants by S. Wells (Samuel Wells) Williams - At Sparta their right to engross property (severely criticised by Aristotle) gave them a social status which they had in no other Greek state.
— from Studies of the Greek Poets (Vol 1 of 2) by John Addington Symonds - And always there should be books; chosen more to divert than to engross.
— from Etiquette by Emily Post - 'I am glad that the sacred Himalayas are extensive enough to engross you.'
— from Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
