- Obscure
- Obscure Ob*scure" ([o^]b*sk[=u]r"), a. [Compar. {Obscurer}
([o^]b*sk[=u]r"[~e]r); superl. {Obscurest}.] [L. obscurus,
orig., covered; ob- (see {Ob-}) + a root probably meaning, to
cover; cf. L. scutum shield, Skr. sku to cover: cf. F.
obscur. Cf. {Sky}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. Covered over, shaded, or darkened; destitute of light;
imperfectly illuminated; dusky; dim.
[1913 Webster]
His lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. --Prov. xx. 20. [1913 Webster]
2. Of or pertaining to darkness or night; inconspicuous to the sight; indistinctly seen; hidden; retired; remote from observation; unnoticed. [1913 Webster]
The obscure bird Clamored the livelong night. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
The obscure corners of the earth. --Sir J. Davies. [1913 Webster]
3. Not noticeable; humble; mean. ``O base and obscure vulgar.'' --Shak. ``An obscure person.'' --Atterbury. [1913 Webster]
4. Not easily understood; not clear or legible; abstruse or incomprehensible; as, an obscure passage or inscription. [1913 Webster]
5. Not clear, full, or distinct; clouded; imperfect; as, an obscure view of remote objects. [1913 Webster]
{Obscure rays} (Opt.), those rays which are not luminous or visible, and which in the spectrum are beyond the limits of the visible portion. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Dark; dim; darksome; dusky; shadowy; misty; abstruse; intricate; difficult; mysterious; retired; unnoticed; unknown; humble; mean; indistinct. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
