*obscur*

‖n. [ F. See Clare-obscure. ] See Chiaroscuro. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. clarus clear + obscurus obscure; cf. F. clair-obscur. Cf. Chiaroscuro. ] (Painting) See Chiaroscuro. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Chiaroscuro. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. obscurans, p. pr. of obscurare to obscure. ] One who obscures; one who prevents enlightenment or hinders the progress of knowledge and wisdom. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The system or the principles of the obscurants. C. Kingsley. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Same as Obscurant. Ed. Rev. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. obscurativ: cf. F. obscuration. See Obscure, v. t. ] The act or operation of obscuring; the state of being obscured; as, the obscuration of the moon in an eclipse. Sir J. Herschel. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Covered over, shaded, or darkened; destitute of light; imperfectly illuminated; dusky; dim. [ 1913 Webster ]

His lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. Prov. xx. 20. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of or pertaining to darkness or night; inconspicuous to the sight; indistinctly seen; hidden; retired; remote from observation; unnoticed. [ 1913 Webster ]

The obscure bird
Clamored the livelong night. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The obscure corners of the earth. Sir J. Davies. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Not noticeable; humble; mean. “O base and obscure vulgar.” Shak. “An obscure person.” Atterbury. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Not easily understood; not clear or legible; abstruse or incomprehensible; as, an obscure passage or inscription. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Not clear, full, or distinct; clouded; imperfect; as, an obscure view of remote objects. [ 1913 Webster ]

Obscure rays (Opt.), those rays which are not luminous or visible, and which in the spectrum are beyond the limits of the visible portion. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Dark; dim; darksome; dusky; shadowy; misty; abstruse; intricate; difficult; mysterious; retired; unnoticed; unknown; humble; mean; indistinct. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

They are all couched in a pit hard by Herne's oak, with obscured lights. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Why, 't is an office of discovery, love,
And I should be obscured. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

There is scarce any duty which has been so obscured by the writings of learned men as this. Wake. [ 1913 Webster ]

And seest not sin obscures thy godlike frame? Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To conceal one's self; to hide; to keep dark. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

How! There's bad news.
I must obscure, and hear it. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Obscurity. [ Obs. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an obscure manner. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of obscuring, or the state of being obscured; obscuration. Pomfret. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Obscurity. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, obscures. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. obscuritas: cf. F. obscurité. ] The quality or state of being obscure.
Syn. -- darkness; privacy; inconspicuousness; unintelligibleness; uncertainty. [ 1913 Webster ]

You are not for obscurity designed. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

They were now brought forth from obscurity, to be contemplated by artists with admiration and despair. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Darkness; dimness; gloom. See Darkness. [ 1913 Webster ]