obscures
|ob/scures|
🇺🇸
/əbˈskjʊr/
🇬🇧
/əbˈskjʊə/
(obscure)
make unclear
Etymology
'obscure' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'obscurus', where 'obscurus' meant 'dark' or 'hidden'.
'obscure' changed from the Latin word 'obscurus' into Old French 'obscur' and eventually became the modern English word 'obscure' through Middle English.
Initially it meant 'dark' or 'hidden', but over time it evolved to include the current senses of 'not clear, difficult to understand' and 'not well known'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to make something unclear or difficult to understand; to hide the meaning or make less intelligible.
Technical jargon often obscures the main point of the report.
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Verb 2
to block from view or make less visible, as by covering or by atmospheric conditions.
Thick fog obscures the coastline in the morning.
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Verb 3
to cause something or someone to become less well known or noticeable, often by overshadowing.
His early achievements were obscured by later scandals.
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Last updated: 2025/12/25 18:11