Obscurements

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The act or process of making something difficult to see or understand; a state of being not well-known or hidden; elements that contribute to the vagueness or ambiguity of a subject in communication
2. Actions or factors that render information less clear or accessible; situations where certain truths or details are not prominently known; aspects that lead to confusion or misinterpretation in discussions
3. The methods used to obscure information or clarity in meaning; the condition of being insufficiently visible or recognized; components that create misunderstandings or a lack of clarity in expression

Etymology: "Obscurements" is the plural of "obscurement," a noun meaning things that make something unclear. The base word is "obscure," which comes from Latin "obscurus," meaning dark, dim or covered over, and the suffix "-ment" (from Latin "-mentum") turns a verb into a noun naming the means or result of an action. Put together, an obscurement is whatever darkens or blurs a matter, so the plural names several such things at once. The word is a straightforward formation in English, built from familiar parts rather than coined as a single invention. Its sense stays close to the physical image of dimming: something that casts shade over what would otherwise be plain to see.

Synonyms: obscurations, concealments, coverings, hiding, darkenings

Antonyms: clarifications, revelations, explanations, illuminations, disclosures