What is the meaning of "it was in tones of less than hushed reverence"

[Madman1981]

Hello,

I am learning English. I am currently reading the novel Seawitch (text, audio) and do not understand some of the sentences and passages in this novel.

What is the meaning of "it was in tones of less than hushed reverence" in:

When his name was mentioned by any of the ten men present at that shoreside house on Lake Tahoe, it was in tones of less than hushed reverence.

 

[emsr2d2]

@Madman1981 That's far too many questions for one thread. Please delete everything except question 1, then start a new thread for each of the other two questions. Don't post any more threads until those three have been dealt with. Thank you.

 

[Madman1981]

@Madman1981 That's far too many questions for one thread. Please delete everything except question 1, then start a new thread for each of the other two questions. Don't post any more threads until those three have been dealt with. Thank you.

I have edited the topic completely. I will ask the rest of the questions in separate topics. Thank you.

 

[PeterCW]

Do you understand what is meant by "hushed reverence"?

 

[Madman1981]

Do you understand what is meant by "hushed reverence"?

Hello PeterCW,

Yes, and I've also seen the video below that explains what it means.

Does 'it was in tones of less than hushed reverence' mean that their silence was not out of respect but for some other reason? For example, a fear or hatred that could not be expressed?

 

[Skrej]

Yes, but note how 'hushed reverence' is negated - "in tones of less than hushed reverence". The tones were not in hushed reverence. They were actually speaking with anger, hatred, or disdain, likely in raised volume.

 

[Madman1981]

Yes, but note how 'hushed reverence' is negated - "in tones of less than hushed reverence". The tones were not in hushed reverence. They were actually speaking with anger, hatred, or disdain, likely in raised volume.

Thank you Skrej.

To better understand your explanation, I asked Chat GBT to write me some examples. The result was:

1. The crowd gathered at the memorial spoke in less than hushed reverence, their voices rising in passionate debate rather than quiet reflection.

2. During the presentation, the audience listened with less than hushed reverence, their murmurs of skepticism echoing through the hall.

3. The students approached the historical site with less than hushed reverence, their laughter and chatter contrasting sharply with the solemnity of the location.

I think I understand the meaning completely. Thank you.