Dictionary
ob•scure
Pronunciation: (ub-skyoor'), [key]
—adj., -scur•er, -scur•est,
—v., -scured, -scur•ing,
—n.
—
adj.
1. (of meaning) not clear or plain; ambiguous, vague, or uncertain:
an obscure sentence in the contract.
2. not clear to the understanding; hard to perceive:
obscure motivations.
3. (of language, style, a speaker, etc.) not expressing the meaning clearly or plainly.
4. indistinct to the sight or any other sense; not readily seen, heard, etc.; faint.
5. inconspicuous or unnoticeable:
the obscure beginnings of a great movement.
6. of little or no prominence, note, fame, or distinction:
an obscure French artist.
7. far from public notice, worldly affairs, or important activities; remote; retired:
an obscure little town.
8. lacking in light or illumination; dark; dim; murky:
an obscure back room.
9. enveloped in, concealed by, or frequenting darkness.
10. not bright or lustrous; dull or darkish, as color or appearance.
11. (of a vowel) having the reduced or neutral sound usually represented by the schwa (
u).
—
v.t.
1. to conceal or conceal by confusing (the meaning of a statement, poem, etc.).
2. to make dark, dim, indistinct, etc.
3. to reduce or neutralize (a vowel) to the sound usually represented by a schwa (
u).
—
n.
obscurity.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
