obnubilate

May. 6th, 2010 07:36 am
[identity profile] prettygoodword.livejournal.com posting in [community profile] 1word1day
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.

(no subject)

Date: 2010-05-06 02:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kryptyd.livejournal.com
Marvellous! And I liked it even better on reading the pronounciation!

I wish I could remember more of my favourites from on here.

(no subject)

Date: 2010-05-06 04:30 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] michie3.livejournal.com
Writing them down is a good idea! I need to start doing that! :D

(no subject)

Date: 2010-05-06 03:09 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] exx-cecilegr.livejournal.com
Oooh, I love this one. *writes it down*

(no subject)

Date: 2010-05-06 04:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] michie3.livejournal.com
AH! What a nifty sounding word! XD Must... use... now!
Page generated Jul. 5th, 2025 09:40 pm
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios