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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Forbear

His plan was such a success that even his original critics could scarcely forbear from congratulating him.

Did the critics actually congratulate him?
  

Top answer

There's no way of knowing for sure, as the word has both meanings: By a small margin; barely: We scarcely made it in time. Almost not; hardly: We scarcely ever used the reserve generator. Certainly not: They could scarcely complain after such good treatment.

— Mister Micawber

  • There's no way of knowing for sure, as the word has both meanings: By a small margin; barely: We scarcely made it in time.
  • Almost not; hardly: We scarcely ever used the reserve generator.
  • Certainly not: They could scarcely complain after such good treatment.
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2 Answers
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There's no way of knowing for sure, as the word has both meanings:
  1. By a small margin; barely: We scarcely made it in time.
  2. Almost not; hardly: We scarcely ever used the reserve generator.
  3. Certainly not: They could scarcely complain after such good treatment.
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