Obscurities

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Something that is difficult to understand or explain; aspects that are not easily perceived or comprehended; vague elements that hide clarity and make interpretation challenging
2. Referring to the conditions or qualities of being unclear or ambiguous; matters that are not well known or are uncertain in nature; obscured features that complicate understanding and awareness
3. Elements that contribute to a lack of clarity or visibility; occurrences that are intentionally or unintentionally hidden from view; complexities that create confusion and hinder clear insight

Etymology: "Obscurities" is simply the plural of "obscurity", so its history is that of the singular. The singular came into Middle English as "obscurite" or "obscuryte", borrowed through Middle French "obscurité" from Latin "obscūritās", a noun built from "obscūrus", meaning dark, dim or hidden from view. The Latin root carried a literal sense of shadow and dimness long before it described anything murky in thought or speech. The English word follows that path closely. Its base, "obscure", came into English from Latin in the same family, and the suffix "-ity" (from Latin "-itās") turns an adjective into a noun of state or quality. So an obscurity is, at root, the quality of being dim or unlit, which then extended to things that are hard to understand or make out.

Synonyms: ambiguities, murkiness, uncertainties, obscureness, enigma

Antonyms: clarities, certainties, lucidity, transparency, simplicity