All 5 Uses of

obscure

in

Early Cases Of Hercule Poirot

Although perhaps it is not so fully demonstrative of Poirot's peculiar methods as some of the more obscure cases, its sensational features, the well-known people involved, and the tremendous publicity given it by the Press, make it stand out...
Chpt 1 (definition 1) *

obscure = inconspicuously (in a manner where they are not noticed)

The Daily Blare was a paper that made the most of any opportunity for sensationalism. Robberies and murders did not lurk obscurely in its back pages. Instead they hit you in the eye in large type on the front page.
Chpt 2 (definition 2) *

obscurely = not known to many people

"A pleasing little problem, obscure and charming," murmured Poirot. "I will investigate it for you with pleasure."
Chpt 3 (definition 3) *

obscure = mysterious (difficult to understand/solve)

There was Hardman suspecting Lady Runcorn; there was I, suspecting the Countess and Johnston; and all the time, the obscure Mr Parker was our man.
Chpt 4 (definition 1)

obscure = not known to many people; or undistinguished

'The motive is obscure,' I said thoughtfully, 'but I'm certain that Parker's a bad lot.'
Chpt 10 (definition 3)

obscure = not clearly seen, understood, or expressed

Definitions:

(1) (obscure as in: knows the famous and the obscure)
not known to many people; or unimportant or undistinguished
editor's notes: More rarely, this meaning of obscure can be used for:
- seemingly unimportant -- as in "I want her on the team. She always seems to ask obscure questions that reveal problems in a different light."
- humble (typically only found in classic literature) -- as in "Nobody at the table would have guessed of her obscure family background."

(2) (obscure as in: was obscure, but now bright)
dark or dingy; or inconspicuous (not very noticeable)

editor's notes: This meaning of obscure is more commonly seen in classic literature than in modern writing.

(3) (obscure as in: the view or directions are obscure)
not clearly seen, understood, or expressed

editor's notes: Although this meaning of obscure typically refers to seeing or understanding, it can refer to difficulty with any type of detection as when something is hard to hear. It can also more specifically mean vague, or mysterious, or unknown by anyone. Much more rarely, it can mean secretive.