‖ [ LL. camera chamber + L. obscurus, obscura, dark. ] (Opt.) 1. An apparatus in which the images of external objects, formed by a convex lens or a concave mirror, are thrown on a paper or other white surface placed in the focus of the lens or mirror within a darkened chamber, or box, so that the outlines may be traced. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Photog.) An apparatus in which the image of an external object or objects is, by means of lenses, thrown upon a sensitized plate or surface placed at the back of an extensible darkened box or chamber variously modified; -- commonly called simply the camera. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ ‖‖ } n. [ It., clear dark. ] (a) The arrangement of light and dark parts in a work of art, such as a drawing or painting, whether in monochrome or in color. (b) The art or practice of so arranging the light and dark parts as to produce a harmonious effect. Cf. Clair-obscur. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A painter who cares for and studies light and shade rather than color. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ F. See Clare-obscure. ] See Chiaroscuro. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. clarus clear + obscurus obscure; cf. F. clair-obscur. Cf. Chiaroscuro. ] (Painting) See Chiaroscuro. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Chiaroscuro. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. a stretch of turbulent water in the sea.
Syn. -- rip, riptide, tide rip. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. a tendency or sentiment within a group which conflicts with that of the majority; -- often used in the plural. [ PJC ]

v. t. [ See Discover. ] To discover; to reveal; to discoure. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I will, if please you it discure, assay
To ease you of that ill, so wisely as I may. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Not current or free to circulate; not in use. [ Obs. ] Sir E. Sandys. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ LL. discursio a running different ways. See Discourse. ] The act of discoursing or reasoning; range, as from thought to thought. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A discourser. [ Obs. ] L. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. discursif. See Discourse, and cf. Discoursive. ] 1. Passing from one thing to another; ranging over a wide field; roving; digressive; desultory. “Discursive notices.” De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

The power he [ Shakespeare ] delights to show is not intense, but discursive. Hazlitt. [ 1913 Webster ]

A man rather tacit than discursive. Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Reasoning; proceeding from one ground to another, as in reasoning; argumentative. [ 1913 Webster ]

Reason is her being,
Discursive or intuitive. Milton.

-- Dis*cur"sive*ly, adv. -- Dis*cur"sive*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Argumentative; discursive; reasoning. [ R. ] Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ] (Logic) Argumentation; ratiocination; discursive reasoning. [ 1913 Webster ]

prop. n. same as Escorial. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. obscurans, p. pr. of obscurare to obscure. ] One who obscures; one who prevents enlightenment or hinders the progress of knowledge and wisdom. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The system or the principles of the obscurants. C. Kingsley. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Same as Obscurant. Ed. Rev. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. obscurativ: cf. F. obscuration. See Obscure, v. t. ] The act or operation of obscuring; the state of being obscured; as, the obscuration of the moon in an eclipse. Sir J. Herschel. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Compar. Obscurer superl. Obscurest. ] [ L. obscurus, orig., covered; ob- (see Ob-) + a root probably meaning, to cover; cf. L. scutum shield, Skr. sku to cover: cf. F. obscur. Cf. Sky. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Covered over, shaded, or darkened; destitute of light; imperfectly illuminated; dusky; dim. [ 1913 Webster ]

His lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. Prov. xx. 20. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of or pertaining to darkness or night; inconspicuous to the sight; indistinctly seen; hidden; retired; remote from observation; unnoticed. [ 1913 Webster ]

The obscure bird
Clamored the livelong night. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The obscure corners of the earth. Sir J. Davies. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Not noticeable; humble; mean. “O base and obscure vulgar.” Shak. “An obscure person.” Atterbury. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Not easily understood; not clear or legible; abstruse or incomprehensible; as, an obscure passage or inscription. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Not clear, full, or distinct; clouded; imperfect; as, an obscure view of remote objects. [ 1913 Webster ]

Obscure rays (Opt.), those rays which are not luminous or visible, and which in the spectrum are beyond the limits of the visible portion. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Dark; dim; darksome; dusky; shadowy; misty; abstruse; intricate; difficult; mysterious; retired; unnoticed; unknown; humble; mean; indistinct. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Obscured p. pr. & vb. n. Obscuring. ] [ L. obscurare, fr. obscurus: cf. OF. obscurer. See Obscure, a. ] To render obscure; to darken; to make dim; to keep in the dark; to hide; to make less visible, intelligible, legible, glorious, beautiful, or illustrious. [ 1913 Webster ]

They are all couched in a pit hard by Herne's oak, with obscured lights. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Why, 't is an office of discovery, love,
And I should be obscured. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

There is scarce any duty which has been so obscured by the writings of learned men as this. Wake. [ 1913 Webster ]

And seest not sin obscures thy godlike frame? Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To conceal one's self; to hide; to keep dark. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

How! There's bad news.
I must obscure, and hear it. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Obscurity. [ Obs. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an obscure manner. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of obscuring, or the state of being obscured; obscuration. Pomfret. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Obscurity. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, obscures. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. obscuritas: cf. F. obscurité. ] The quality or state of being obscure.
Syn. -- darkness; privacy; inconspicuousness; unintelligibleness; uncertainty. [ 1913 Webster ]

You are not for obscurity designed. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

They were now brought forth from obscurity, to be contemplated by artists with admiration and despair. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Darkness; dimness; gloom. See Darkness. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ Cf. Scour to run. ] To move hastily; to scour. [ Obs. or Prov. Eng. ] Halliwell. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ AS. scurf, sceorf, or from Scand.; cf. Sw. skorf, Dan. skurv, Icel. skurfur, D. schurft, G. schorf; all akin to AS. scurf, and to AS. sceorfan to scrape, to gnaw, G. schürfen to scrape, and probably also to E. scrape. Cf. Scurvy. ] 1. Thin dry scales or scabs upon the body; especially, thin scales exfoliated from the cuticle, particularly of the scalp; dandruff. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, the foul remains of anything adherent. [ 1913 Webster ]

The scurf is worn away of each committed crime. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Anything like flakes or scales adhering to a surface. [ 1913 Webster ]

There stood a hill not far, whose grisly top
Belched fire and rolling smoke; the rest entire
Shone with a glossy scurf. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Bot.) Minute membranous scales on the surface of some leaves, as in the goosefoot. Gray. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The bull trout. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Quality or state of being scurfy. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) Scurf. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Compar. Scurfier superl. Scurfiest. ] Having or producing scurf; covered with scurf; resembling scurf. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who scurries. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. scurrilis, fr. scurra a bufoon, jester: cf. F. scurrile. ] Such as befits a buffoon or vulgar jester; grossly opprobrious or loudly jocose in language; scurrilous; as, scurrile taunts. [ 1913 Webster ]

The wretched affectation of scurrile laughter. Cowley. [ 1913 Webster ]

A scurrile or obscene jest will better advance you at the court of Charles than your father's ancient name. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. scurrilitas: cf. F. scurrilité. ] 1. The quality or state of being scurrile or scurrilous; mean, vile, or obscene jocularity. [ 1913 Webster ]

Your reasons . . . have been sharp and sententious, pleasant without scurrility. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is scurrile or scurrilous; gross or obscene language; low buffoonery; vulgar abuse. [ 1913 Webster ]

Interrupting prayers and sermons with clamor and scurrility. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Scurrilousness; abuse; insolence; vulgarity; indecency. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ See Scurrile. ] 1. Using the low and indecent language of the meaner sort of people, or such as only the license of buffoons can warrant; as, a scurrilous fellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Containing low indecency or abuse; mean; foul; vile; obscenely jocular; as, scurrilous language. [ 1913 Webster ]

The absurd and scurrilous sermon which had very unwisely been honored with impeachment. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Opprobrious; abusive; reproachful; insulting; insolent; offensive; gross; vile; vulgar; low; foul; foul-mouthed; indecent; scurrile; mean. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Scur"ril*ous*ly, adv. -- Scur"ril*ous*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) The lesser tern (Sterna minuta). [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ Cf. Scur, Skirr. ] To hasten away or along; to move rapidly; to hurry; as, the rabbit scurried away. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Act of scurrying; hurried movement. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a scurvy manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being scurvy; vileness; meanness. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Compar. Scurvier superl. Scurviest. ] [ From Scurf; cf. Scurvy, n. ] 1. Covered or affected with scurf or scabs; scabby; scurfy; specifically, diseased with the scurvy. “Whatsoever man . . . be scurvy or scabbed.” Lev. xxi. 18, 20. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Vile; mean; low; vulgar; contemptible. “A scurvy trick.” Ld. Lytton. [ 1913 Webster ]

That scurvy custom of taking tobacco. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ He ] spoke spoke such scurvy and provoking terms. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Probably from the same source as scorbute, but influenced by scurf, scurfy, scurvy, adj.; cf. D. scheurbuik scurvy, G. scharbock, LL. scorbutus. Cf. Scorbute. ] (Med.) A disease characterized by livid spots, especially about the thighs and legs, due to extravasation of blood, and by spongy gums, and bleeding from almost all the mucous membranes. It is accompanied by paleness, languor, depression, and general debility. It is occasioned by confinement, innutritious food, and hard labor, but especially by lack of fresh vegetable food, or confinement for a long time to a limited range of food, which is incapable of repairing the waste of the system. It was formerly prevalent among sailors and soldiers. [ 1913 Webster ]

Scurvy grass [ Scurvy + grass; or cf. Icel. skarfakāl scurvy grass. ] (Bot.) A kind of cress (Cochlearia officinalis) growing along the seacoast of Northern Europe and in arctic regions. It is a remedy for the scurvy, and has proved a valuable food to arctic explorers. The name is given also to other allied species of plants. [ 1913 Webster ]

(Zool.) Any bryozoan which forms rounded or irregular patches of coral on stones, seaweeds, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Somewhat obscurely or darkly. [ R. ] Donne. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ L. transcurrere, transcursum; trans across, over + currere to run. ] To run or rove to and fro. [ Obs. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. transcurrens, p. pr. of transcurrere. ] A roving hither and thither. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. L. transcursio a passing over. See Transcur. ] A rambling or ramble; a passage over bounds; an excursion. [ Obs. ] Howell. [ 1913 Webster ]