Main Entry:

¹ob·scure

Pronunciation:

\äb-ˈskyu̇r, əb-\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French oscur, obscur, from Latin obscurus

Date:

15th century

1 a: dark, dim b: shrouded in or hidden by darkness c: not clearly seen or easily distinguished : faint <obscure markings>2: not readily understood or clearly expressed ; also : mysterious3: relatively unknown: as a: remote, secluded <an obscure village> b: not prominent or famous <an obscure poet> 4: constituting the unstressed vowel \ə\ or having unstressed \ə\ as its value

— ob·scure·ly adverb

— ob·scure·ness noun

synonyms obscure, dark, vague, enigmatic, cryptic, ambiguous, equivocal mean not clearly understandable. obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge <obscure poems>. dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion <muttered dark hints of revenge>. vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration <a vague sense of obligation>. enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality <enigmatic occult writings>. cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning <cryptic hints of hidden treasure>. ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation <an ambiguous directive>. equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading <moral precepts with equivocal phrasing>.