Friday, October 9, 2009

Obfuscate



obfuscate \ˈäb-fə-ˌskāt\ transitive verb: 1 a. darken, b. to make obscure {obfuscate the issue}, 2. confuse {obfuscate the reader}
intransitive verb: to be evasive, unclear or confusing

Etymology: Late Latin obfuscatus, past participle of obfuscare, from Latin ob- in the way + fuscus dark brown

Obfuscate is a common word, but sometimes visiting a common word’s dictionary entry helps to refresh one’s understanding of the word and to fortify one’s confidence in using it. Often there is even a surprise waiting to be discovered, an “I didn’t know that!” moment.

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