obscurity

- 2 dictionary results

ob⋅scu⋅ri⋅ty

[uh

b-skyoo

r-i-tee]

–noun, plural -ties.

1.	the state or quality of being obscure.

2.	the condition of being unknown: He lived in obscurity for years before winning acclaim.

3.	uncertainty of meaning or expression; ambiguity.

4.	an unknown or unimportant person or thing.

5.	darkness; dimness; indistinctness.

Origin:
1470–80; late ME < MF obscurite < L obscūritās, equiv. to obscūr(us) obscure + -itās -ity

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source

ob·scu·ri·ty (ŏb-skyŏŏr'ĭ-tē, əb-)

n. pl. ob·scu·ri·ties

Deficiency or absence of light; darkness.
1. The quality or condition of being unknown: "Even utter obscurity need not be an obstacle to [political] success" (New Republic).
2. One that is unknown.
3. The quality or condition of being imperfectly known or difficult to understand: "writings meant to be understood . . . by all, composed without deliberate obscurity or hidden motives" (National Review).
4. An instance of being imperfectly known or difficult to understand.
1. The quality or condition of being imperfectly known or difficult to understand: "writings meant to be understood . . . by all, composed without deliberate obscurity or hidden motives" (National Review).
2. An instance of being imperfectly known or difficult to understand.

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