Literary notes about spindly (AI summary)
The word "spindly" frequently conveys a sense of fragility, thinness, and stretched-out form in literature. Writers use it to describe struggling natural elements, such as plants reaching for light or exhibiting weak, drawn-out growth ([1], [2], [3]), while it also paints vivid images of human physical features, as seen in depictions of spindly legs and delicate limbs ([4], [5], [6]). Its application extends to inanimate objects and architecture as well; authors evoke a spectral quality when describing slender furniture and fragile towers or structures ([7], [8], [9]). In every instance, "spindly" enriches the text with an immediacy of weakness and extended form, allowing readers to visually and emotionally connect with the description ([10], [11]).
- Even in an unused one they are likely to be too damp, or too dry, or to grow spindly in their effort to reach the light.
— from The Children's Book of Gardening by Mrs. Paynter - The Geraniums ought to stand perfectly clear of other plants, while in flower and growing, or they will be much drawn and spindly.
— from The American Flower Garden Directory Containing Practical Directions for the Culture of Plants, in the Hot-House, Garden-House, Flower Garden and Rooms or Parlours, for Every Month in the Year by Robert Buist - The boxes must be lifted in some way, so as to be near the glass, or the seedlings would grow spindly.
— from The Children's Book of Gardening by Mrs. Paynter - His legs were small and spindly, but his arms were as large as those of a well-grown man, with large brown hands, and long skinny fingers.
— from The Violet Fairy Book by Andrew Lang - Unable to walk about, spending all their time in the canoes, they became thick-armed and broad-shouldered, with narrow waists and frail spindly legs.
— from The Cruise of the Snark by Jack London - I didn't have time to look at my spindly legs.
— from Great Jehoshaphat and Gully Dirt! by Jewell Ellen Smith - The church is modern with a spindly tower and spire.
— from Brittany by S. (Sabine) Baring-Gould - The pillars are spindly and tall, and sustain round arches.
— from Brittany by S. (Sabine) Baring-Gould - Elysée seated himself in an old spindly-legged armchair brought over from France, his cane across his knees.
— from Shaman by Robert Shea - But this time the effort moved up multi-jointed limbs, spindly as a cat's whiskers, terminating in a perpetually coiling soft prehensile tip.
— from A Matter of Protocol by Jack Sharkey - The spindly tops of the trees pointed heavenward with the rigidity of church spires.
— from The Argus Pheasant by John Charles Beecham
