Ob‐scure″ (ŏb‐skūr″), a. [Compar.Obscurer (?); superl.Obscurest.] [L. obscurus, orig., covered; ob- (see Ob-) + a root probably meaning, to cover; cf. L. scutum shield, Skr. sku to cover: cf. F. obscur. Cf. Sky.]
1. Covered over, shaded, or darkened; destitute of light; imperfectly illuminated; dusky; dim.
His lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. Prov. xx. 20.
2. Of or pertaining to darkness or night; inconspicuous to the sight; indistinctly seen; hidden; retired; remote from observation; unnoticed.
The obscure bird
Clamored the livelong night. Shak.
The obscure corners of the earth. Sir J. Davies.
3. Not noticeable; humble; mean. “O base and obscure vulgar.” Shak. “An obscure person.” Atterbury.
4. Not easily understood; not clear or legible; abstruse or blind; as, an obscure passage or inscription.
5. Not clear, full, or distinct; clouded; imperfect; as, an obscure view of remote objects.
Obscure rays(Opt.), those rays which are not luminous or visible, and which in the spectrum are beyond the limits of the visible portion.
Syn. — Dark; dim; darksome; dusky; shadowy; misty; abstruse; intricate; difficult; mysterious; retired; unnoticed; unknown; humble; mean; indistinct.