Ob·scure a. [Compar. Obscurer superl. Obscurest.]
 1. Covered over, shaded, or darkened; destitute of light; imperfectly illuminated; dusky; dim.
    His lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.   --Prov. xx. 20.
 2. Of or pertaining to darkness or night; inconspicuous to the sight; indistinctly seen; hidden; retired; remote from observation; unnoticed.
 The obscure bird
 Clamored the livelong night.   --Shak.
    The obscure corners of the earth.   --Sir J. Davies.
 3. Not noticeable; humble; mean. “O base and obscure vulgar.”  --Shak. “An obscure person.”
 4. Not easily understood; not clear or legible; abstruse or incomprehensible; as, an obscure passage or inscription.
 5. Not clear, full, or distinct; clouded; imperfect; as, an obscure view of remote objects.
 Obscure rays Opt., those rays which are not luminous or visible, and which in the spectrum are beyond the limits of the visible portion.
 Syn: -- Dark; dim; darksome; dusky; shadowy; misty; abstruse; intricate; difficult; mysterious; retired; unnoticed; unknown; humble; mean; indistinct.


 Ob·scur·er n. One who, or that which, obscures.

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