obscure Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb make less visible or unclear
    befog; haze over; fog; becloud; mist; obnubilate; cloud.
    • The stars are obscured by the clouds
    • the big elm tree obscures our view of the valley
  2. verb make unclear, indistinct, or blurred
    confuse; obnubilate; blur.
    • Her remarks confused the debate
    • Their words obnubilate their intentions
  3. verb make obscure or unclear
    overcloud; bedim.
    • The distinction was obscured
  4. verb reduce a vowel to a neutral one, such as a schwa
  5. verb make undecipherable or imperceptible by obscuring or concealing
    hide; obliterate; veil; blot out.
    • a hidden message
    • a veiled threat
  6. adjective satellite not clearly understood or expressed
    vague.
    • an obscure turn of phrase
    • an impulse to go off and fight certain obscure battles of his own spirit"-Anatole Broyard
    • their descriptions of human behavior become vague, dull, and unclear"- P.A.Sorokin
    • vague...forms of speech...have so long passed for mysteries of science"- John Locke
  7. adjective satellite marked by difficulty of style or expression
    dark.
    • much that was dark is now quite clear to me
    • those who do not appreciate Kafka's work say his style is obscure
  8. adjective satellite difficult to find
    hidden.
    • hidden valleys
    • a hidden cave
    • an obscure retreat
  9. adjective satellite not famous or acclaimed
    unknown; unsung.
    • an obscure family
    • unsung heroes of the war
  10. adjective satellite not drawing attention
    unnoticeable.
    • an unnoticeable cigarette burn on the carpet
    • an obscure flaw
  11. adjective satellite remote and separate physically or socially
    isolated; apart.
    • existed over the centuries as a world apart
    • preserved because they inhabited a place apart"- W.H.Hudson
    • tiny isolated villages remote from centers of civilization
    • an obscure village

WordNet

Ob*scure" adjective
Etymology
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.
Wordforms
comparative Obscurer ; superlative Obscurest
Definitions
  1. Covered over, shaded, or darkened; destitute of light; imperfectly illuminated; dusky; dim.
    His lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. Prov. xx. 20.
  2. Of or pertaining to darkness or night; inconspicuous to the sight; indistinctly seen; hidden; retired; remote from observation; unnoticed.
    The obscure bird Clamored the livelong night. Shak.
    The obscure corners of the earth. Sir J. Davies.
  3. Not noticeable; humble; mean. "O base and obscure vulgar." Shak. "An obscure person." Atterbury.
  4. Not easily understood; not clear or legible; abstruse or blind; as, an obscure passage or inscription.
  5. Not clear, full, or distinct; clouded; imperfect; as, an obscure view of remote objects. Syn. -- Dark; dim; darksome; dusky; shadowy; misty; abstruse; intricate; difficult; mysterious; retired; unnoticed; unknown; humble; mean; indistinct.
Ob*scure" transitive verb
Etymology
L. obscurare, fr. obscurus: cf. OF. obscurer. See Obscure, a.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Obscured ; present participle & verbal noun Obscuring
Definitions
  1. To render obscure; to darken; to make dim; to keep in the dark; to hide; to make less visible, intelligible, legible, glorious, beautiful, or illustrious.
    They are all couched in a pit hard by Herne's oak, with obscured lights. Shak.
    Why, 't is an office of discovery, love, And I should be obscured. Shak.
    There is scarce any duty which has been so obscured by the writings of learned men as this. Wake.
    And seest not sin obscures thy godlike frame? Dryden.
Ob*scure" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To conceal one's self; to hide; to keep dark. Obs.
    How! There's bad news. I must obscure, and hear it. Beau. & Fl.
Ob*scure" noun
Definitions
  1. Obscurity. Obs. Milton.

Webster 1913