darkness Copy link Outline I. Abstract; as quality or state1. obscūrĭtas2. ŏpācĭtasII. Concrete1. tĕnebrae, arum2. cālīgo, ĭnis, f. (dense d., as of dark vapour)3. obscūrum (rare and poet.)III. Of huesIV. Fig. • darkness: I. Abstract; as quality or state: 1. obscūrĭtas: the d. of hiding places, obs. latebrarum, Tac.: black (intense) d., atra obs., Plin. 2. ŏpācĭtas: v. SHADINESS. (N.B. The sense may sometimes be conveyed by a concrete word: as, the aspect [of the prison] was dismal, on account of its foulness, d., etc., incultu, tenebris terribilis facies [loci], Sall.) II. Concrete: the d., as something which exists: 1. tĕnebrae, arum: d. had suddenly come on, tenebrae factae erant repente, Cic.: what dense d., quantae t., id.: dismal d. and gloom, tetrae t. et caligo, id.: as soon as d. came on, primis t., Liv. 2. cālīgo, ĭnis, f. (dense d., as of dark vapour): the blackness of d., caeca c., Cic.: thick d., crassa c., Plin. Ep.; densa, Virg.; atra, Virg. 3. obscūrum (rare and poet.): in the d. of night, sub obscurum noctis, Virg. III. Of hues: *color fuscus, subfuscus. (Fuscitas occurs once in Apul.): v. dark (II.). IV. Fig.: of the mind, etc.: all these events are enveloped in impenetrable d., omnia ista crassis tenebris circumfusa sunt, Cic.: the d. of oblivion, tenebrae oblivionis, Plin.; of error, tenebrae erroris, Cic.: in the midst of day-light to be in d., in sole caligare, Quint.: v. gloom.