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Obscurity: meaning, definitions and examples

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obscurity

 

[ əbˈskjʊərɪti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in literature

The state of being unknown, inconspicuous, or unimportant. Obscurity can refer to a lack of clarity or understanding.

Synonyms

ambiguity, obscureness, unfamiliarity

Examples of usage

  • The author's early works languished in obscurity before gaining recognition later in life.
  • The origins of the ancient artifact are shrouded in obscurity.
Context #2 | Noun

in astronomy

A region of space that is dark or not easily visible, often due to the presence of dust clouds or other celestial bodies blocking the view.

Synonyms

concealment, darkness, opacity

Examples of usage

  • The telescope revealed a previously undiscovered star hidden in the obscurity of the Milky Way.
  • Astronomers study the depths of obscurity to uncover new phenomena.
Context #3 | Noun

in philosophy

The quality of being unknown or unknowable, especially in terms of metaphysical or existential questions.

Synonyms

enigma, inscrutability, mystery

Examples of usage

  • The concept of the afterlife is often shrouded in obscurity and mystery.
  • Philosophers debate the obscurity of consciousness and its relation to the physical world.

Translations

Translations of the word "obscurity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 obscuridade

🇮🇳 अस्पष्टता

🇩🇪 Unklarheit

🇮🇩 ketidakjelasan

🇺🇦 неясність

🇵🇱 niejasność

🇯🇵 不明

🇫🇷 obscurité

🇪🇸 oscuridad

🇹🇷 karanlık

🇰🇷 불명확

🇸🇦 غموض

🇨🇿 nejasnost

🇸🇰 nejasnosť

🇨🇳 模糊

🇸🇮 nejasnost

🇮🇸 óvissa

🇰🇿 түсініксіздік

🇬🇪 არასპეციფიკურობა

🇦🇿 qeyri-müəyyənlik

🇲🇽 oscuridad

Etymology

The word 'obscurity' originated from the Latin word 'obscuritas', meaning darkness or obscurity. It has been used in English since the late 14th century to describe the state of being unknown or not easily seen. Over time, 'obscurity' has evolved to encompass various fields such as literature, astronomy, and philosophy, reflecting its versatility in describing hidden, unclear, or mysterious aspects of the world.

See also: obscuration, obscure, obscured, obscurely, obscureness.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,264, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.