Obscure \Ob*scure"\ ([o^]b*sk[=u]r"), a. [Compar. Obscurer
([o^]b*sk[=u]r"[~e]r); 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.]
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1. Covered over, shaded, or darkened; destitute of light;
imperfectly illuminated; dusky; dim.
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His lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
--Prov. xx.
20.
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2. Of or pertaining to darkness or night; inconspicuous to
the sight; indistinctly seen; hidden; retired; remote from
observation; unnoticed.
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The obscure bird
Clamored the livelong night. --Shak.
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The obscure corners of the earth. --Sir J.
Davies.
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3. Not noticeable; humble; mean. "O base and obscure vulgar."
--Shak. "An obscure person." --Atterbury.
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4. Not easily understood; not clear or legible; abstruse or
incomprehensible; as, an obscure passage or inscription.
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5. Not clear, full, or distinct; clouded; imperfect; as, an
obscure view of remote objects.
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Obscure rays (Opt.), those rays which are not luminous or
visible, and which in the spectrum are beyond the limits
of the visible portion.
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Syn: Dark; dim; darksome; dusky; shadowy; misty; abstruse;
intricate; difficult; mysterious; retired; unnoticed;
unknown; humble; mean; indistinct.
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