2 meanings, 8 uses
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1 —3 uses as in:
it obscured my view
Definition
to block from view or make less visible or understandable
- and pulling the collar up over his ears so as completely to obscure the lower part of his face:Chapter 19 — In Which a Notable Plan is Discussed and Determined On (1% in)
obscure = hide (make less visible)
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- In a frying-pan, which was on the fire, and which was secured to the mantelshelf by a string, some sausages were cooking; and standing over them, with a toasting-fork in his hand, was a very old shrivelled Jew, whose villainous-looking and repulsive face was obscured by a quantity of matted red hair.Chapter 8 — Oliver Walks to London. He encounters on the Road a.... (87% in)
- The murderer swung lifeless against the wall; and the boy, thrusting aside the dangling body which obscured his view, called to the people to come and take him out, for God's sake.Chapter 50 — The Pursuit and Escape (98% in)
There are no more uses of "obscure" flagged with this meaning in Oliver Twist.
Typical Usage
(best examples)
2 —5 uses as in:
knows the famous and the obscure
Definition
not known to many people; or unimportant or undistinguished
- Just pausing to observe which appeared the most crowded streets, and consequently the most to be avoided, he crossed into Saint John's Road, and was soon deep in the obscurity of the intricate and dirty ways, which, lying between Gray's Inn Lane and Smithfield, render that part of the town one of the lowest and worst that improvement has left in the midst of London.Chapter 42 — An Old Acquaintance of Oliver's, Exhibiting Decided Marks.... (26% in)
obscurity = the condition of being unknown to most people and undistinguished
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- There was not so great a necessity for hurrying as Mr. Sowerberry had anticipated, however; for when they reached the obscure corner of the churchyard in which the nettles grew, and where the parish graves were made, the clergyman had not arrived; and the clerk, who was sitting by the vestry-room fire, seemed to think it by no means improbable that it might be an hour or so, before he came.Chapter 5 — Oliver Mingles with New Associates. Going to a Funeral.... (88% in)
- In the obscure parlour of a low public-house, in the filthiest part of Little Saffron Hill; a dark and gloomy den, where a flaring gas-light burnt all day in the winter-time; and where no ray of sun ever shone in the summer: there sat, brooding over a little pewter measure and a small glass, strongly impregnated with the smell of liquor, a man in a velveteen coat, drab shorts, half-boots and...Chapter 15 — Showing How Very Fond of Oliver Twist, The Merry Old.... (1% in)
- If I had been less—less fortunate, the world would call it—if some obscure and peaceful life had been my destiny—if I had been poor, sick, helpless—would you have turned from me then?Chapter 35 — Containing the Unsatisfactory Result of Oliver's Adventure.... (85% in)
- 'At nine in the evening,' said the stranger, producing a scrap of paper, and writing down upon it, an obscure address by the water-side, in characters that betrayed his agitation; 'at nine in the evening, bring her to me there.'Chapter 37 — In Which the Reader May Perceive a Contrast, Not Uncommon.... (96% in)
There are no more uses of "obscure" flagged with this meaning in Oliver Twist.
Typical Usage
(best examples)