darkness

[dahrk-nis]

noun

1. the state or quality of being dark.

   The room was in total darkness.

2. absence or deficiency of light.

   the darkness of night.

3. wickedness or evil.

   Satan, the prince of darkness.

4. obscurity; concealment.

   The darkness of the metaphor destroyed its effectiveness.

5. lack of knowledge or enlightenment.

   heathen darkness.

6. lack of sight; blindness.

Other Word Forms

• predarkness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of darkness¹

First recorded before 1050; Middle English derknesse, Old English deorcnysse; equivalent to dark + -ness

Example Sentences

Under the cover of darkness, an underling used satellite imagery to pick his way through vineyards near the prison before tossing a pillowcase over the walls.

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The company collects cars around the clock, but the cover of darkness cuts the odds of encountering belligerent owners.

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Freeman says it's that balance of darkness and humour that makes The Fifth Step so unique.

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Sunday, more than three dozen first responders set off into the Marin County darkness, searching for a drunk camper whose friends were worried he could be in danger.

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Fuchs hopes the audience also grabs hold of the light cutting through Derry’s darkness.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• bleakness www.thesaurus.com
• despair 
• despondency 
• dysphoria 
• gloom 
• grimness www.thesaurus.com
• melancholy 
• morbidity 
• negativity www.thesaurus.com