obscure

Where does the word "obscure" come from? It comes from Latin obscurus, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Obscure’s story begins in Latin: obscurus meant “dark, covered.” Covered, dark, from ob- (over) and possibly a root meaning to cover. It reached English by 1300s as obscure. Settled as the English word for something unclear or little known. Today, obscure means not clearly expressed or understood, or not well known.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient obscurus "dark, covered", covered, dark, from ob- (over) and possibly a root meaning to cover.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s obscure "not clearly understood or expressed, or little known", settled as the English word for something unclear or little known.