English Language & Usage Asked by ftkg on September 6, 2020
I’m having trouble understanding this passage, mostly the part in bold. Is it regular grammar?
The citation is from Moby Dick:
If I had been downright honest with myself, I would have seen very plainly in my heart that I did but half fancy being committed this way to so long a voyage, without once laying my eyes on the man who was to be the absolute dictator of it, so soon as the ship sailed out upon the open sea."
"Fancy" means to like it - "but half fancy" means to not like it much at all. So he is saying that he did not admit to himself that he did not want to commit to the voyage before seeing the Captain.
Correct answer by Oldcat on September 6, 2020
As was mentioned by Oldcat, "half fancy" means to not be excited about traveling. Replace half with hardly and it makes a little more (modern) sense.
Answered by KevinL on September 6, 2020
It means he wasn't very keen on doing it. He wasn't too enthusiastic about committing himself to such a long journey.
Answered by Louel on September 6, 2020
Fancy can mean
to form a conception of : IMAGINE
He imagined that he was committed, but not really strongly imagining that.
Answered by Mary on September 6, 2020
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