obscuritas Latin · revision 32795

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=116–27 BC, Varro|origins=la obscūrus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ɔpˈskuː.rɪ.taːs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [obˈskuː.ri.tas]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''obscūritās''' ''f'' (genitive obscūritātis); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|obscūrus|-tās|t1=dark]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Köbler 2010) The origin of [[m|la|obscūrus]] is disputed: it is unclear whether the adjective is to be divided ⟨ob-scūrus⟩ or ⟨obs-cūrus⟩, and de Vaan tentatively reconstructs [[itc-pro|*skoi-ro-]] and [[ine-pro|*skoh₂-i-ro-|t=dark, shady]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Varro.^(de Vaan 2008) In Cicero it is the lack of clarity of a narrative, in his early work on rhetorical invention.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Lewis & Short find the literal sense of darkness perhaps only after Augustus, the figurative sense of obscurity or uncertainty in classical Latin.^(Lewis & Short 1879) 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.^(OLD 2012) Pliny the Elder uses it of dimness of sight.^(OLD 2012) Figuratively it is unintelligibility, and an obscure situation: Cicero writes of a time of obscurity and doubt for everyone.^(OLD 2012) It is also being unknown or unnoticed, and humble birth: Cicero says one man's deeds cast the praises of others into the shade.^(OLD 2012) Church Latin uses it of spiritual darkness.^(Stelten 1995) English [[m|en|obscurity]] dates from the late 15th century, from [[m|en|obscure]] or from Old French and Latin.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 116–27 BC – Varro.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of an unclear narrative and of obscurity of rank.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius of shadows in a city.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1st century AD – Curtius of darkness.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder of dimness of sight.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late 15th century – English ''obscurity''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # [[m|en|darkness|alt=Darkness]];^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary) in the plural, patches of shadow.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Dimness of [[m|en|sight]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # Lack of clarity, unintelligibility, [[m|en|obscurity]]; an obscure situation.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Being unknown or unnoticed; humble birth or rank.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' Spiritual darkness.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[obscurus|alt=obscūrus]]

+ * [[en|obscurity]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}