darkness

Variant of dark

dark definition

dark (därk)

adjective

    1. entirely or partly without light
    2. neither giving nor receiving light
  2. ☆ giving no performance; closed this theater is dark tonight
    1. almost black
    2. not light in color; deep in shade
  4. not fair in complexion; brunet or swarthy
  5. hidden; secret
  6. not easily understood; hard to make clear; obscure
  7. gloomy; hopeless; dismal
  8. angry or sullen responding to criticism with dark looks
  9. evil; sinister
  10. ignorant; unenlightened
  11. deep and rich, with a melancholy sound
  12. Phonet. back: said of vowels

Etymology: ME derk < OE deorc, gloomy, cheerless < IE *dherg- < base *dher-, dirty, somber > dregs

noun

  1. the state of being dark
  2. night; nightfall
  3. a dark color or shade

transitive verb, intransitive verb

Obsolete to darken

Related Forms:

dark Idioms

in the dark

uninformed; ignorant

keep dark

to keep secret or hidden

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments


Do you have more to add? Sign in to share your linguistic knowledge or observation.

Connect with Facebook