DIMLY

dimly, indistinctly

(adverb) in a dim indistinct manner; “we perceived the change only dimly”

dimly, murkily

(adverb) with a dim light; “a dimly lit room”

pallidly, palely, dimly

(adverb) in a manner lacking interest or vitality; “a palely entertaining show”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adverb

dimly (comparative more dimly, superlative most dimly)

In a dim manner.

Source: Wiktionary


Dim"ly, adv.

Definition: In a dim or obscure manner; not brightly or clearly; with imperfect sight.

DIM

Dim, a. [Compar. Dimmer; superl. Dimmest.] Etym: [AS. dim; akin to OFries. dim, Icel. dimmr: cf. MHG. timmer, timber; of uncertain origin.]

1. Not bright or distinct; wanting luminousness or clearness; obscure in luster or sound; dusky; darkish; obscure; indistinct; overcast; tarnished. The dim magnificence of poetry. Whewell. How is the gold become dim! Lam. iv. 1. I never saw The heavens so dim by day. Shak. Three sleepless nights I passed in sounding on, Through words and things, a dim and perilous way. Wordsworth.

2. Of obscure vision; not seeing clearly; hence, dull of apprehension; of weak perception; obtuse. Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow. Job xvii. 7. The understanding is dim. Rogers.

Note: Obvious compounds: dim-eyed; dim-sighted, etc.

Syn.

– Obscure; dusky; dark; mysterious; imperfect; dull; sullied; tarnished.

Dim, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dimmed; p. pr. & vb. n. Dimming.]

1. To render dim, obscure, or dark; to make less bright or distinct; to take away the luster of; to darken; to dull; to obscure; to eclipse. A king among his courtiers, who dims all his attendants. Dryden. Now set the sun, and twilight dimmed the ways. Cowper.

2. To deprive of distinct vision; to hinder from seeing clearly, either by dazzling or clouding the eyes; to darken the senses or understanding of. Her starry eyes were dimmed with streaming tears. C. Pitt.

Dim, v. i.

Definition: To grow dim. J. C. Shairp.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

3 May 2025

DESIRABLE

(adjective) worth having or seeking or achieving; “a desirable job”; “computer with many desirable features”; “a desirable outcome”


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Coffee Trivia

An article published in Harvard Men’s Health Watch in 2012 shows heavy coffee drinkers live longer. The researchers examined data from 400,000 people and found out that men who drank six or more coffee cups per day had a 10% lower death rate.

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