obfuscation

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun confusion resulting from failure to understand
  2. noun the activity of obscuring people's understanding, leaving them baffled or bewildered
  3. noun darkening or obscuring the sight of something

Etymology

From Middle English obfuscacioun, from Latin obfuscātiō, obfuscātiōnem, from obfuscāre (“to darken”), from ob (“over”) + fuscāre (“to make dark”), from fuscus (“dark”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

bewilderment, puzzlement, befuddlement, mystification, bafflement, bemusement

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