v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Darkened p. pr. & vb. n. Darkening ] [ AS. deorcian. See Dark, a. ] 1. To make dark or black; to deprive of light; to obscure; as, a darkened room. [ 1913 Webster ] They [ locusts ] covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened. Ex. x. 15. [ 1913 Webster ] So spake the Sovran Voice; and clouds began To darken all the hill. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. To render dim; to deprive of vision. [ 1913 Webster ] Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see. Rom. xi. 10. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. To cloud, obscure, or perplex; to render less clear or intelligible. [ 1913 Webster ] Such was his wisdom that his confidence did seldom darkenhis foresight. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ] Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Job. xxxviii. 2. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. To cast a gloom upon. [ 1913 Webster ] With these forced thoughts, I prithee, darken not The mirth of the feast. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. To make foul; to sully; to tarnish. [ 1913 Webster ] I must not think there are Evils enough to darken all his goodness. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] |