v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Obtended; p. pr. & vb. n. Obtending. ] [ L. obtendere, obtentum, to stretch or place before or against; ob (see Ob-) + tendere to stretch. ] 1. To oppose; to hold out in opposition. [ Obs. ] Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To offer as the reason of anything; to pretend. [ Obs. ] Dryden [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. obtenebrate to make dark. ] The act of darkening; the state of being darkened; darkness. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

In every megrim or vertigo, there is an obtenebration joined with a semblance of turning round. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. obtentio. See Obtend. ] The act of obtending. [ Obs. ] Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]