tobscurantism

[Eng. obscurant; -ism.] The principles or system of an obscurant. "The dim obscurantism of Words worth's politics."Nonconformist and Independent, July 21, 1881, p. 690. tob-scür-ant-ist, subst . [Eng. obscurant; -ist.] The same as OBSCURANT (q. v.). "No voice, save from a clique of French and English obscurantists."- Edinburgh Review, July, 1862, p. 292. ob-scu-rā-tion, subst . [Latin obscuratio , from obs curat us , pa. par. of obscuro =to make dark or obscure (q. v.).] 1. The act of making dark or obscure; a darken IMG:content-0200.png:[blocks in formation] 5. Retired; away from observation; secluded. remote; as, an obscure corner. 6. Not noted, humble, mean, unknown. "[He], doomed to an obscure but tranquil state, Is pleased with it." Cowper: Task , vi. 908. 7. Not easily understood; abstruse; not obvious; difficult to understand. "He euer so laboured to set his wordes in such obscure and doubtful fashion."-Sir T. More: Workes , p. 554. 8. Not clear or full; imperfect, defective, indistinct; as, an obscure view of distant objects. *B. As subst.: Darkne , night. "That clear obscure , So softly dark." obscure-rays, s. pl. Byron: Paris in a , i. obscure Ob-scüre', v . t. & i. [OBSCURE, a.] A. Transitive : 1. To make dark; to darken; to deprive of light; to make dim or gloomy. "They are all couched in a pit hard by Herne's oak, with obscured lights." --Shakesp.: Merry Wives of Windsor, 3. *2. To keep in the dark; to hide from view; to conceal. "And you may marvel why I obscured myself, Laboring to save his life." Shakesp.: Measure for Measure, v. 1. *3. To prevent from becoming known; to hide; to keep back. "Much more his absence now Thus long to some great purpose He obsoures ." Milton: P. R., ii. 101. 4. To make le intelligent, visible, or legible. "But the dark mantle of involving time Has veil'd their beauties and obscur'd their rhyme." Langhorne: Genius and Valor. 5. To make le glorious, illustrious, or beautiful; to make mean; to degrade. "Your high self With a swain's wearing. you have obscured Shakesp.: Winter's Tale, iv. 8. B. In trans.: To hide, or to conceal one's self. "There's bad tidings; I must obscure and hear it." Beaum. & Fletch.: Maid in the Mill , iv. 1. õb-scüre'-ly, adv . [Eng. obscure ; -ly.] 1. In an obscure manner; darkly, dimly. "Not, as in northern climes, obscurely bright." Byron: Curse of Minerva. 2. In an obscure, mean, or low state or degree; meanly, unnoticed. "A line so long beloved and feared May soon obscurely end."