Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Dark; gloomy; tenebrous.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Characterized by darkness or gloom; tenebrous.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Dark; tenebrous.
  • adjective figuratively obscure; obtuse; incomprehensible.
  • adjective figuratively morally, culturally or mentally benighted; backward; uncivilized.
  • adjective figuratively gloomy.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Latin tenebrosus, itself from tenebra ("darkness")

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Examples

  • Our talk grew slow, and our spirits subsided in this changed and tenebrose scenery.

    Wylder's Hand 2003

  • She watched his retreating figure as he and little Fairy walked down the tenebrose road to Gylingden, following them with a dismal gaze, as a benighted and wounded wayfarer in that

    Wylder's Hand 2003

  • And about as much as to say, That it is a _Knight_ of _tenebrose Virtues_; or a _serene Prince_, of the _Blood_ of _Occult

    An Essay towards Fixing the True Standards of Wit, Humour, Railery, Satire, and Ridicule (1744) Corbyn Morris

  • Our talk grew slow, and our spirits subsided in this changed and tenebrose scenery.

    Wylder's Hand Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu 1843

  • She watched his retreating figure as he and little Fairy walked down the tenebrose road to Gylingden, following them with a dismal gaze, as a benighted and wounded wayfarer in that 'Valley' would the pale lamp's disappearing that had for a few minutes, in a friendly hand, shone over his dreadful darkness.

    Wylder's Hand Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu 1843

Comments

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  • Dark; gloomy. (from Phrontistery)

    May 24, 2008

  • Though seldom are ladies and men verbose

    On subjects so private and tenebrose:

    Know obstinate movement

    Is coaxed to improvement

    By silently sipping a senna dose.

    November 10, 2017