obscures

Obscures is the third-person singular present tense of the verb obscure. It denotes causing something to become unclear, hidden, or less visible, whether in a physical sense (such as light, view, or sight) or a figurative sense (such as information, meaning, or truth).

Etymology and form: Obscure comes from Latin obscurus meaning dark or obscure, with the verb form obscures evolving in English to describe the act of making something less clear or visible. As a verb, it typically takes a direct object (what is obscured) and can be used in various contexts to indicate concealment, blurring, or complication of understanding.

Usage and nuance: Literarily or descriptively, one might say, “The fog obscures the lighthouse,” indicating a physical blockage of visibility. In analytical or evaluative writing, “The report obscures the underlying causes by emphasizing peripheral details” suggests deliberate or unintended confusion. In common speech, it can refer to anything that hides or darkens perception, from weather to ambiguous language. The term often carries a negative connotation when it implies concealment of facts or truth.

Examples:

- The trees obscure the house from the street.

- Fog obscures the mountains on the horizon.

- The editor’s edits obscure the author’s original meaning.

Related terms: obscure (adjective and verb), obscurity, obscurement, and obscurant. See also other phrases that describe making something unclear or hidden, such as conceal, veil, or mask.

Notes: Obscures remains primarily a transitive verb and is commonly used in nonfiction, journalism, science, and everyday language to discuss visibility, clarity, and transparency.