Dictionary entry

Darken

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Dark″en (därk″'n), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Darkened (–'nd); p. pr. & vb. n.Darkening (–n‐ĭng).] [AS. deorcian. See Dark, a.] 1. To make dark or black; to deprive of light; to obscure; as, a darkened room.

They covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened. Ex. x. 15.

So spake the Sovran Voice; and clouds began

To darken all the hill. Milton.

2. To render dim; to deprive of vision.

Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see. Rom. xi. 10.

3. To cloud, obscure, or perplex; to render less clear or intelligible.

Such was his wisdom that his confidence did seldom darkenhis foresight. Bacon.

Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Job. xxxviii. 2.

4. To cast a gloom upon.

With these forced thoughts, I prithee, darken not

The mirth of the feast. Shak.

5. To make foul; to sully; to tarnish.

I must not think there are

Evils enough to darken all his goodness. Shak.