Dim (?), a. [Compar.Dimmer (?); superl.Dimmest (?).] [AS. dim; akin to OFries. dim, Icel. dimmr: cf. MHG. timmer, timber; of uncertain origin.] 1. Not bright or distinct; wanting luminousness or clearness; obscure in luster or sound; dusky; darkish; obscure; indistinct; overcast; tarnished.
The dim magnificence of poetry. Whewell.
How is the gold become dim! Lam. iv. 1.
I never saw
The heavens so dim by day. Shak.
Three sleepless nights I passed in sounding on,
Through words and things, a dim and perilous way. Wordsworth.
2. Of obscure vision; not seeing clearly; hence, dull of apprehension; of weak perception; obtuse.
Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow. Job xvii. 7.
The understanding is dim. Rogers.
☞ Obvious compounds: dim-eyed; dim-sighted, etc.
Syn. — Obscure; dusky; dark; mysterious; imperfect; dull; sullied; tarnished.