Obscurecer is a verb in Spanish.
/obskuˈɾeθeɾ/ (in Spain) or /obskuˈɾeseɾ/ (in Latin America)
Obscurecer means to make something less visible or difficult to understand. It is typically used in contexts where light is decreased, or clarity is compromised, whether literally (as in light conditions) or metaphorically (as in understanding or transparency). The word sees moderate frequency of use in both oral and written contexts, though it may appear more often in literary and formal writing.
The fog began to obscure the path.
Sus declaraciones solamente lograron obscurecer el problema.
While obscurecer itself isn't commonly found in idiomatic expressions, phrases involving the concept of obscurity or confusion do appear:
It can be easy to obscure the ideas when they are not presented clearly.
Obscurecer la verdad: No debemos obscurecer la verdad, sin importar cuán difícil sea.
We should not obscure the truth, no matter how difficult it is.
Sin obscurecer: Hay que hablar de este tema sin obscurecer los hechos.
The term obscurecer stems from the Latin word "obscurare," which itself comes from "obscurus," meaning dark or obscure. The prefix "ob-" refers to "over" or "against," while the root "scurus" relates to darkness.
By exploring the meaning, usage, and linguistic context of "obscurecer," we gain a comprehensive understanding of this multifaceted verb in the Spanish language.