OBFUSCATE

obfuscate

(verb) make obscure or unclear

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Verb

obfuscate (third-person singular simple present obfuscates, present participle obfuscating, simple past and past participle obfuscated)

To make dark; overshadow

To deliberately make more confusing in order to conceal the truth.

(computing) To alter code while preserving its behavior but concealing its structure and intent.

Synonyms

• (to make dark): darken, eclipse, overshadow

• (to deliberately make more confusing): confuse, muddle, obscure

Antonyms

• (to deliberately make less confusing): explain, simplify

Adjective

obfuscate (comparative more obfuscate, superlative most obfuscate)

(obsolete) Obfuscated; darkened; obscured.

Source: Wiktionary


Ob*fus"cate, a. Etym: [L. obfuscatus, p.p. of obfuscare to darken; ob (see Ob-) + fuscare, fuscatum, to darken, from fuscus dark.]

Definition: Obfuscated; darkened; obscured. [Obs.] [Written also offuscate.] Sir. T. Elyot.

Ob*fus"cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obfuscated; p. pr. & vb. n. Obfuscating.]

Definition: To darken; to obscure; to becloud; hence, to confuse; to bewilder. His head, like a smokejack, the funnel unswept, and the ideas whirling round and round about in it, all obfuscated and darkened over with fuliginous matter. Sterne. Clouds of passion which might obfuscate the intellects of meaner females. Sir. W. Scott.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

23 May 2025

THOUGHTFULLY

(adverb) showing consideration and thoughtfulness; “he had thoughtfully brought with him some food to share”


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

Plain brewed coffee contains almost no calories, while coffee with dairy products, sugar, and other flavorings is much higher in calories. An espresso has 20 calories. A nonfat latte has 72, while a flavored one has 134.

coffee icon