Literary notes about rare (AI summary)
In literature, the term "rare" operates on multiple levels, often serving to highlight uniqueness, scarcity, or exceptional quality. It is used in a literal sense to denote something infrequently encountered—as with references to seldom-occurring grammatical forms ([1], [2]) or unusual heraldic charges ([3], [4], [5])—while also evoking aesthetic and emotional distinction in poetic and narrative contexts ([6], [7]). Authors use it to underscore both the limited occurrence of tangible objects, such as a precious book or a remarkable beast ([8], [9]), and the extraordinary nature of human qualities or moments, whether in character portrayal or fleeting introspection ([10], [11], [12]). This versatile application enriches descriptions by imbuing them with a sense of value that transcends mere rarity.
- The present participle in this use is rare, the future late.
— from A Latin Grammar for Schools and Colleges by George Martin Lane - maneō , stay manēre mānsī mānsum mulceō , stroke mulcēre mulsī mulsus adjective Perfect participle per-mulsus rare (Cornif., Varr.).
— from A Latin Grammar for Schools and Colleges by George Martin Lane - Whilst but seldom met with as a charge upon a shield, the lion statant is by no means rare as a crest.
— from A Complete Guide to Heraldry by Arthur Charles Fox-Davies - As a charge upon a shield it is comparatively rare, though it so occurs in the arms of Samuelson.
— from A Complete Guide to Heraldry by Arthur Charles Fox-Davies - The last is rare at Point Barrow, but they see many of them near the Colville.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - Thus truth was multiplied on truth, the world Like one 4 great garden show'd, And thro' the wreaths of floating dark upcurl'd, Rare sunrise flow'd.
— from The Early Poems of Alfred Lord Tennyson by Baron Alfred Tennyson Tennyson - It was one of those rare and beautiful days in winter when England remembers that there is a sun.
— from The three musketeers by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - This was quite a rare book and an old copy.
— from Rizal's own story of his life by José Rizal - But the word is so rare in any form, that these occurrences of ἐλλογεῖν afford no ground for excluding ἐλλογᾶν as impossible.
— from St. Paul's Epistles to the Colossians and Philemon by J. B. Lightfoot - No, as I have suggested, novelties are rare in the great capitals of modern times.
— from Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World by Mark Twain - Harvy was among the guests at the wedding; and he sought her out in a rare moment when she stood alone.
— from The Awakening, and Selected Short Stories by Kate Chopin - Gifted with rare eloquence, she swept the chords of the human heart with a power that has never been surpassed, and rarely equaled.
— from History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I
