Etymologically
Log in

obscuritas

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 20 October 2026 at 03:33. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Pronunciation

  • Classical: [ɔpˈskuː.rɪ.taːs][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [obˈskuː.ri.tas][1]

Forms

obscūritās f (genitive obscūritātis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin obscūrus (“dark”) + -tās.[2][1][3] The origin of obscūrus is disputed: it is unclear whether the adjective is to be divided ⟨ob-scūrus⟩ or ⟨obs-cūrus⟩, and de Vaan tentatively reconstructs Proto-Italic *skoi-ro- and Proto-Indo-European *skoh₂-i-ro- (“dark, shady”).[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

De Vaan dates it from Varro.[4] In Cicero it is the lack of clarity of a narrative, in his early work on rhetorical invention.[2][3]

Semantic evolution

Lewis & Short find the literal sense of darkness perhaps only after Augustus, the figurative sense of obscurity or uncertainty in classical Latin.[5] The OLD has darkness, as in Curtius, and in the plural patches of shadow, which Vitruvius says high party walls and narrow sites make in a city.[2] Pliny the Elder uses it of dimness of sight.[2] Figuratively it is unintelligibility, and an obscure situation: Cicero writes of a time of obscurity and doubt for everyone.[2] It is also being unknown or unnoticed, and humble birth: Cicero says one man's deeds cast the praises of others into the shade.[2] Church Latin uses it of spiritual darkness.[6] English obscurity dates from the late 15th century, from obscure or from Old French and Latin.[7]

Timeline

  • 116–27 BC – Varro.[4][3]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero of an unclear narrative and of obscurity of rank.[2][3]
  • c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius of shadows in a city.[2][3]
  • 1st century AD – Curtius of darkness.[2][3]
  • 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder of dimness of sight.[2][3]
  • late 15th century – English obscurity.[7]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Darkness;[2][5][1] in the plural, patches of shadow.[2]
  2. Dimness of sight.[2][5]
  3. Lack of clarity, unintelligibility, obscurity; an obscure situation.[2][5][1]
  4. Being unknown or unnoticed; humble birth or rank.[2][5]
  5. (Ecclesiastical Latin) Spiritual darkness.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b c de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
  5. ^ a b c d e Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  7. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com