Learn English – the meaning of “The very sight of”

phrase-meaning

The very sight of them is frightening.

Source

What is the meaning of "the very sight of" in the above context? What else can be used instead of that phrase?

Best Answer

Try Oxford Dictionary, adjective, definition 3:

3 With no addition of anything else; mere:
'the very thought of drink made him feel sick'

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Just seeing the creatures that Joel 2 describes is enough to be frightening. This does take into consideration anything else, such as what they might sound like, or do, which is probably cause destruction since this is apocalyptic literature.

So the very/mere sight of them produces fear.

Just seeing them, and nothing else, is frightening or scary. That is what Joel 2:6 means in this English translation.