How would you interpret ‘mostly’ in the context?
It’s a gentleman she met last year when he came to inquire about renting a vacant room. They had quite a chat in the parlor while waiting for Mrs. Bittle to return from the hairdresser’s. He’s from New York City, a lawyer, mostly retired. Moving to Asheville because his wife had died, and the daughter Margaret lived here. Grandchildren. He was not sure how he’d get along in Dixieland, but you can’t argue with a daughter named Margaret. Even Harry Truman knows that, ha-ha.

How would you interpret ‘mostly’ in the sentence: He’s from New York City, a lawyer, mostly retired?
Does it mean recently?
Thanks! And it’s from The Lacuna by Kingsolver.

Question

How would you interpret ‘mostly’ in the context?
It’s a gentleman she met last year when he came to inquire about renting a vacant room. They had quite a chat in the parlor while waiting for Mrs. Bittle to return from the hairdresser’s. He’s from New York City, a lawyer, mostly retired. Moving to Asheville because his wife had died, and the daughter Margaret lived here. Grandchildren. He was not sure how he’d get along in Dixieland, but you can’t argue with a daughter named Margaret. Even Harry Truman knows that, ha-ha.

How would you interpret ‘mostly’ in the sentence: He’s from New York City, a lawyer, mostly retired?
Does it mean recently?
Thanks! And it’s from The Lacuna by Kingsolver.

Answer

I think it means he still works, occasionally, and it might be meant in a slightly self-ironic, bitter manner. Possibly.

Answer

It means that he still works occasionally, but not full-time. He could be recently retired, but not necessarily.

Answer

IT means  about 90% retired

Answers · 3

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