indistinct
Meaning
not clear or sharply defined
not easily heard or seen
Structure
Usage
the distant mountains were an indistinct blue silhouette on the horizon.
his memory of the event was hazy and indistinct.
she heard the indistinct murmur of voices from the next room.
Etymology
The word 'indistinct' is formed by adding the Latin negative prefix 'in-' to the adjective 'distinct'. 'distinct' itself originates from the Latin verb distinguere, meaning 'to separate, mark off', which is composed of 'dis-' (apart) and 'stinguere' (to prick, quench). The core semantic thread from the Latin root involves the idea of separation, which leads to clarity or differentiation. Therefore, 'indistinct' logically carries the meaning of 'not separated or marked off clearly', evolving into its modern senses of being vague, blurred, or not easily perceived.
Analysis
in- (latin origin, a prefix meaning 'not'); distinct (from latin distinctus, meaning 'separated, clear')