fusc-

A bile pigment (coloring) found in bile and gallstones.

A brown, nitrogenous (nonmetallic element) pigment contained in the retinal (eye) epithelium (covering of internal surface); a variety of melanin (pigments largely of animal origin).

A dark-colored substance obtained from empyreumatic animal oil from burnt organic matter as a result of decomposition at high temperatures.

A dark grayish-brown or a dusky brownish gray color.

1. To darken, to make black, or to obscure: When Jake looked out of his window, he noticed that the mountains were infuscated with fog.

Tom used black dye to infuscate his shirt completely so all of the spots which were seen before were no longer visible.

2. Etymology: from Latin infuscare, "to darken, to discolor".

Pertaining to being darkened or tinged with a dark color: The wings of some insects are infuscated with brown patterns.

The act of darkening, or the state of being dark; darkness; obscurity.

1. Any of several brown pigments similar to melanin that accumulate in animal cells with age and are products of oxidation of lipids and lipoproteins.
2. A golden-brown pigment deposited in muscle and nerve cells at a rate that increases progressively with age.

An abnormal storage of any one of a group of golden-brown fatty pigments deposited in muscle and nerve cells at a rate that increases progressively with age.

1. To confuse, to bewilder, or to stupefy: A person's mind may be obfuscated by liquor.
2. To darken, to make obscure, or to make something more difficult to understand: Bill tried to obfuscate his drunken driving with extraneous information about taking medication; however, the odor of alcohol on his breath was not obfuscating his real condition.

Politicians tend to keep obfuscating issues in an attempt to satisfy the various viewpoints of their political parties.

3. Etymology: from Latin obfuscatus and obfuscare, "to darken," from ob, "over" + fuscare, "to make dark"; from fuscus, "dark". © ALL rights are reserved.

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1. A confusion resulting from failure to understand; bewilderment, disorientation: When the doctor was trying to explain Fern's medical condition, there was much more obfuscation and confusion than understanding about what could be done to improve her ailment.
2. An activity that leaves people baffled or bewildered and being without understanding: It was difficult for the audience to comprehend what the politician was trying to say because of his obfuscation regarding how he would improve the economy.

Although this cartoon refers to a verb, it is used here to help you understand the meaning of this noun entry.

© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more Mickey Bach illustrations.

A reference to that which is unclear, unintelligible, or confusing: "The obfuscatory explanations by the professor are more likely to bewilder the students than to enlighten them."

1. Of a dark, dull, or somber color.
2. Dark or drab in color; as, dark and dull clothing.
3. Etymology: from Latin subfuscus, "brownish"; from sub-, "below" + fuscus, "dark".

1. Duskish; moderately dark; brownish; tawny.
2. Slightly dark, dusky, or somber.