Literary notes about timidly (AI summary)
The adverb "timidly" is often employed to convey a delicate hesitance or vulnerability in a character's behavior, whether in speech or action. Writers use it to subtly indicate that a character is uncertain or self-conscious—for instance, when a character approaches another with caution [1] or speaks in a softly hesitant manner [2]. In classic literature, it appears in varied contexts: from the hesitant glances and gentle dialogues in works like Anna Karenina [3, 4, 5] and War and Peace [6, 7, 8, 9] to the quietly uncertain steps taken by figures in stories filled with whimsy and introspection, such as those in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland [10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15]. Overall, "timidly" enriches the narrative by subtly revealing emotional fragility and cautious intent.
- The younger timidly approached Lucas and touched him on the arm.
— from The Social Cancer: A Complete English Version of Noli Me Tangere by José Rizal - Then I thought of something, and looked up into that unyielding face, and said timidly:— “Mr. President, I—I am embarrassed.
— from Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World by Mark Twain - “Yes, but say what you like, you will have to choose between me and him,” he said, looking timidly into his brother’s face.
— from Anna Karenina by graf Leo Tolstoy - I don’t and can’t enter into that,” she said, glancing timidly at his gloomy face.
— from Anna Karenina by graf Leo Tolstoy - he said, smiling timidly and affectionately at her.
— from Anna Karenina by graf Leo Tolstoy - “What people are these?” he shouted to the men, who were moving singly and timidly in the direction of his trap.
— from War and Peace by graf Leo Tolstoy - “But, Prince,” Dessalles began timidly, “the letter mentions Vítebsk....” “Ah, the letter?
— from War and Peace by graf Leo Tolstoy - “We see light again, since his Serenity has been appointed, your excellency,” said Timókhin timidly, and continually turning to glance at his colonel.
— from War and Peace by graf Leo Tolstoy - “I did not notice him following me,” she said timidly.
— from War and Peace by graf Leo Tolstoy - "Cheshire-Puss," began Alice, rather timidly, "would you please tell me which way I ought to go from here?"
— from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll - "Cheshire Puss," she began, rather timidly, as she did not at all know whether it would like the name: however, it only grinned a little wider.
— from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll - Alice went timidly up to the door and knocked.
— from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll - "Not quite right, I'm afraid," said Alice, [54] timidly; "some of the words have got altered."
— from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll - ‘It must be a very pretty dance,’ said Alice timidly.
— from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll - Alice went timidly up to the door, and knocked.
— from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
