dark

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English derk, from Old English deorc; akin to Old High German tarchannen to hide Date: before 12th century 1. a. devoid or partially devoid of light ; not receiving, reflecting, transmitting, or radiating light <

a dark room

> b. transmitting only a portion of light <

dark glasses

> 2. a. wholly or partially black <

dark clothing

> b. of a color of low or very low lightness c. being less light in color than other substances of the same kind <

dark rum

> 3. a. arising from or showing evil traits or desires ; evil <

the dark powers that lead to war

> b. dismal, gloomy <

had a dark view of the future

> c. lacking knowledge or culture ; unenlightened <

a dark period in history

> d. relating to grim or depressing circumstances <

dark humor

> 4. a. not clear to the understanding b. not known or explored because of remoteness <

the darkest reaches of the continent

> 5. not fair in complexion ; swarthy 6. secret <

kept his plans dark

> 7. possessing depth and richness <

a dark voice

> 8. closed to the public <

the theater is dark in the summer

> Synonyms: see obscure • darkish adjective • darkly adverb • darkness noun II. noun Date: 13th century 1. a. a place or time of little or no light ; night, nightfall <

after dark

> b. absence of light ; darkness <

afraid of the dark

> 2. a dark or deep color III. verb Date: 14th century intransitive verb obsolete to grow dark transitive verb to make dark