/ blɜː(r); NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun [ usually sing. ]
1.
a shape that you cannot see clearly, often because it is moving too fast :
His arm was a rapid blur of movement as he struck.
Everything is a blur when I take my glasses off.
2.
something that you cannot remember clearly :
The events of that day were just a blur.
■ verb ( -rr- )
1.
if the shape or outline of sth blurs , or if sth blurs it, it becomes less clear and sharp :
[ v ]
The writing blurred and danced before his eyes.
[ vn ]
The mist blurred the edges of the buildings.
2.
if sth blurs your eyes or vision , or your eyes or vision blur , you cannot see things clearly :
[ vn ]
Tears blurred her eyes.
[also v ]
3.
to become or make sth become difficult to distinguish clearly :
[ v ]
The differences between art and life seem to have blurred.
[ vn ]
She tends to blur the distinction between her friends and her colleagues.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (in the sense smear that partially obscures something) .