Ob*scure" (?), a. [Compar. Obscurer (?); 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.]
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.
Obscure rays Opt., those rays which are not luminous or visible, and which in the spectrum are beyond the limits of the visible portion.
Syn. -- Dark; dim; darksome; dusky; shadowy; misty; abstruse; intricate; difficult; mysterious; retired; unnoticed; unknown; humble; mean; indistinct.
© Webster 1913.
Ob*scure", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obscured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obscuring.] [L. obscurare, fr. obscurus: cf. OF. obscurer. See Obscure, a.]
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.
© Webster 1913.
Ob*scure" (?), v. i.
To conceal one's self; to hide; to keep dark.
[Obs.]
How! There's bad news.
I must obscure, and hear it.
Beau. & Fl.
© Webster 1913.
Ob*scure", n.
Obscurity.
[Obs.]
Milton.
© Webster 1913.