obnubilate
May. 6th, 2010 07:36 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
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obnubilate (ob-NOO-buh-layt or ob-NYOO-buh-layt) - v.t., to cloud over, darken, obscure.
Originally literally to cloud over (from Latin obnūbilāre, from ob- in the sense of over + nūbilāre, to become cloudy, from nubes, cloud) but now more often cloudy in a metaphorical sense, as in to obscure the meaning of something. Used in English since the 1580s, so it's a fine old Elizabethan Latinism, worthy of use in high-flown oratory -- or even refined snark.
Her abbreviations obnubilate her text messages.
---L.
Originally literally to cloud over (from Latin obnūbilāre, from ob- in the sense of over + nūbilāre, to become cloudy, from nubes, cloud) but now more often cloudy in a metaphorical sense, as in to obscure the meaning of something. Used in English since the 1580s, so it's a fine old Elizabethan Latinism, worthy of use in high-flown oratory -- or even refined snark.
Her abbreviations obnubilate her text messages.
---L.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-05-06 02:38 pm (UTC)I wish I could remember more of my favourites from on here.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-05-06 04:30 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-05-06 03:09 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-05-06 04:29 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-05-07 02:23 pm (UTC)