fog 1
— fogless , adj.
/fog, fawg/ , n. , v. , fogged, fogging .
n.
1. a cloudlike mass or layer of minute water droplets or ice crystals near the surface of the earth, appreciably reducing visibility. Cf. ice fog, mist, smog .
2. any darkened state of the atmosphere, or the diffused substance that causes it.
3. a state of mental confusion or unawareness; daze; stupor: The survivors were in a fog for days after the catastrophe.
4. Photog. a hazy effect on a developed negative or positive, caused by light other than that forming the image, by improper handling during development, or by the use of excessively old film.
5. Physical Chem. a mixture consisting of liquid particles dispersed in a gaseous medium.
v.t.
6. to cover or envelop with or as if with fog: The steam in the room fogged his glasses.
7. to confuse or obscure: The debate did little else but fog the issue.
8. to bewilder or perplex: to fog the mind.
9. Photog. to produce fog on (a negative or positive).
v.i.
10. to become enveloped or obscured with or as if with fog.
11. Photog. (of a negative or positive) to become affected by fog.
[ 1535-45; perh. by back formation from FOGGY. See FOG 2 ]
Syn. 3. obfuscation. See cloud. 7. becloud, obfuscate, dim, blur, darken. 8. daze, befuddle, muddle, mystify.
Ant. 3. clarity. 7. clarify. 10. clear.
fog 2
/fog, fawg/ , n. U.S. and Brit. Dial.
1. a second growth of grass, as after mowing.
2. long grass left standing in fields during the winter.
[ 1300-50; ME fogge, fog fogg long grass on damp ground, FOGGY ]