Literary notes about leery (AI summary)
In literature, "leery" is employed to capture a mood of cautious mistrust and subtle unease. Writers use the term to describe characters whose eyes, expressions, or overall attitudes betray a sense of wariness—often hinting at past betrayals or the instinctive need to guard oneself against potential harm [1, 2, 3]. The word may signal an internal hesitation or a critical, almost instinctive, doubt about a person or situation, coloring both dialogue and description with a flavor of skepticism or alertness [4, 5, 6]. This layered use of "leery" enriches the narrative by conveying not only emotional caution but also an atmosphere of tension in interactions and environments where trust is in question [7, 8].