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oblivion - 4 dictionary results

ob⋅liv⋅i⋅on

  [uh-bliv-ee-uhn]
Use oblivion in a Sentence
–noun
1. the state of being completely forgotten or unknown: a former movie star now in oblivion.
2. the state of forgetting or of being oblivious: the oblivion of sleep.
3. official disregard or overlooking of offenses; pardon; amnesty.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < MF < L oblīviōn- (s. of oblīviō), equiv. to oblīv(īscī) to forget + -iōn- -ion; see ob-
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To oblivion
o·bliv·i·on   (ə-blĭv'ē-ən)   
n.  
  1. The condition or quality of being completely forgotten: "He knows that everything he writes is consigned to posterity (oblivion's other, seemingly more benign, face)" (Joyce Carol Oates).
  2. The act or an instance of forgetting; total forgetfulness: sought the great oblivion of sleep.
  3. Official overlooking of offenses; amnesty.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin oblīviō, oblīviōn-, from oblīvīscī, to forget; see lei- in Indo-European roots.]
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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Oblivion

Ob*liv"i*on\, n. [L. oblivio, akin to oblivisci to forget: cf. OF. oblivion.]

1. The act of forgetting, or the state of being forgotten; cessation of remembrance; forgetfulness.

Second childishness and mere oblivion. --Shak.

Among our crimes oblivion may be set. --Dryden

The origin of our city will be buried in eternal oblivion. --W. Irving.

2. Official ignoring of offenses; amnesty, or general pardon; as, an act of oblivion. --Sir J. Davies.

Syn: See Forgetfulness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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oblivion 
1390, "state or fact of forgetting," from L. oblivionem (nom. oblivio) "forgetfulness," from oblivisci (pp. oblitus) "forget," originally "even out, smooth over," from ob "over" + root of levis "smooth." Oblivious is c.1450, from L. obliviosus "forgetful," from oblivio. It has lost its original sense of "no longer aware or mindful," however, and now means simply "unaware" (1862). Properly should be used with to, not of.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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