Obfuscate: meaning, definitions and examples

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obfuscate

 

[ əˈbʌfskeɪt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

in coding

To make code or data intentionally unintelligible or obscure in order to prevent unauthorized access or understanding.

Synonyms

conceal, encode, encrypt, mask

Examples of usage

  • Developers often obfuscate their code to protect intellectual property.
  • Obfuscating sensitive data can help enhance security measures.
  • The company used obfuscation techniques to hide their encryption algorithm.

Word origin

The word 'obfuscate' originated from the Latin word 'obfuscare', which means 'to darken' or 'to obscure'. In the context of coding, obfuscation techniques have been used for years to protect software from reverse engineering or tampering.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,294, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.