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blur

 - 3 dictionary results

blur

  [blur] verb, blurred, blur⋅ring, noun
Use blur in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to obscure or sully (something) by smearing or with a smeary substance: The windows were blurred with soot.
2. to obscure by making confused in form or outline; make indistinct: The fog blurred the outline of the car.
3. to dim the perception or susceptibility of; make dull or insensible: The blow on the head blurred his senses.
–verb (used without object)
4. to become indistinct: Everything blurred as she ran.
5. to make blurs.
–noun
6. a smudge or smear that obscures: a blur of smoke.
7. a blurred condition; indistinctness: They could see nothing in the foggy blur.
8. something seen indistinctly: The ship appeared as a blur against the horizon.
Origin:
1540–50; akin to blear

Related forms:
blur⋅red⋅ly  [blur-id-lee, blurd-] , adverb
blur⋅red⋅ness, noun
blur⋅ring⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
2. cloud, dim, darken, veil, mask.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To blur
blur   (blûr)   
v.   blurred, blur·ring, blurs

v.   tr.

  1. To make indistinct and hazy in outline or appearance; obscure.

  2. To smear or stain; smudge.

  3. To lessen the perception of; dim: "For street children . . . drugs offer the chance to blur their hopeless poverty" (Alma Guillermoprieto).

v.   intr.

  1. To become indistinct.

  2. To make smudges or stains by smearing.

n.  

  1. A smear or blot; a smudge.

  2. Something that is hazy and indistinct to the sight or mind.


[Probably akin to Middle English bleren, to blear.]
blur'ri·ness n., blur'ry adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

blur 
1548, akin to blear. The verb is 1581, from the noun.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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