English language is full of words that are not commonly used in everyday conversations. One such word is “becloud.” This word may not be familiar to many people, but it has a specific meaning that can be useful in many contexts. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, meaning in different dictionaries, associations, synonyms, antonyms, root words, and example sentences of becloud.
Definitions
The verb becloud means to obscure or make something unclear or hazy. It can also mean to confuse or muddle up something. In simpler terms, it means to make something less clear or visible.
Origin
The word becloud is derived from the Middle English word “clouden,” which means to become cloudy. The word has been in use since the 16th century.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, becloud means to obscure or make something unclear. Merriam-Webster defines it as to make something less visible or less clear. The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as to make something difficult to understand or see clearly.
Associations
The word becloud is often associated with fog, mist, haze, and other weather conditions that make visibility difficult. It can also be associated with confusion, uncertainty, and ambiguity.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of becloud include blur, obscure, dim, cloud, veil, shroud, and hide.
Antonyms
The antonyms of becloud include clarify, illuminate, reveal, uncover, and unveil.
The same root words
The root words of becloud are “be-” and “cloud.” The prefix “be-” is used to indicate that something is being done to the object or subject. The word “cloud” refers to a visible mass of condensed water vapor floating in the atmosphere.
Example Sentences
- The smoke from the fire beclouded the entire room.
- The politician’s evasive answers beclouded the issue.
- The heavy rain beclouded the view of the mountains.
- The fog beclouded the airport, causing flight delays.
- The writer’s convoluted sentences beclouded the meaning of the text.
In conclusion, becloud is a word that is not commonly used in everyday conversations but has a specific meaning that can be useful in many contexts. It means to obscure or make something unclear or hazy. It can also mean to confuse or muddle up something. The word has been in use since the 16th century and is derived from the Middle English word “clouden.” Synonyms of becloud include blur, obscure, dim, cloud, veil, shroud, and hide. The antonyms of becloud include clarify, illuminate, reveal, uncover, and unveil.