Obscure

Ob*scure", n. Obscurity. [Obs.] Milton.

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.

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.

The obscure corners of the earth.

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.

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.

Why, 't is an office of discovery, love,
And I should be obscured.

There is scarce any duty which has been so obscured by the writings of learned men as this.

And seest not sin obscures thy godlike frame?

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.