adj.
Pronunciation: äb- ' skyu ̇ r, ə b-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French oscur, obscur, from Latin obscurus
Date: 15th century
1 a : DARK , DIM b : shrouded in or hidden by darkness c : not clearly seen or easily distinguished : FAINT < obscure markings>
2 : not readily understood or clearly expressed also : MYSTERIOUS
3 : relatively unknown: as a : REMOTE , SECLUDED <an obscure village> b : not prominent or famous <an obscure poet>
4 : constituting the unstressed vowel \ ə \ or having unstressed \ ə \ as its value
– ob · scure · ly adverb
– ob · scure · ness noun
synonyms OBSCURE , DARK , VAGUE , ENIGMATIC , CRYPTIC , AMBIGUOUS , EQUIVOCAL mean not clearly understandable. OBSCURE implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge < obscure poems>. DARK implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion <muttered dark hints of revenge>. VAGUE implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration <a vague sense of obligation>. ENIGMATIC stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality < enigmatic occult writings>. CRYPTIC implies a purposely concealed meaning < cryptic hints of hidden treasure>. AMBIGUOUS applies to language capable of more than one interpretation <an ambiguous directive>. EQUIVOCAL applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading <moral precepts with equivocal phrasing>.