Reply
Thu 13 Jan, 2011 05:54 pm
Quote:And then the noise increased, rattling the Olympic National Stadium, waves of sound soon punctuated by fireworks as the lights on the surfaces of the drums and the rhythmic movements of the percussionists soon turned the countdown to Friday’s start of the 2008 Olympics’ opening ceremony into a blend of technology and tradition.
I found the following definitions for the verb "punctuate"
Quote:1. To provide (a text) with punctuation marks.
2. To interrupt periodically: “lectures punctuated by questions and discussions” (Gilbert Highet). “[There is] a great emptiness in America's West punctuated by Air Force bases” (Alfred Kazin).
3. To stress or emphasize.
Which one of the above senses can best match the bolded verb "punctuate" in the first quote? 2 or 3?
@fansy,
2. The noise was punctuated with more noise.
I'd say the sound (auditory) was further emphasized (or added to) by the (visual) fireworks. The rest of the sentence give you a clue that many things were going on at the same time.
Stumble It!
Tweet This
Bookmark on Delicious
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace