obscurantist
UK[ˌɒbskjʊˈræntɪst]US[ˌɑːbskjʊˈræntɪst]
n
a person who deliberately prevents the facts or full details of something from becoming known.
adj
deliberately preventing the facts or full details of something from becoming known.
Morpheme Breakdown
obscur
ant
ist
obscur
dark
ant
adjective suffix
ist
noun suffix, denoting a person
Etymology
the term 'obscurantist' is built upon the latin root obscurus, meaning 'dark' or 'hidden'. the suffix '-ant' transforms it into an adjective, describing something that obscures or hides. finally, the agent suffix '-ist' attaches to denote a person who engages in or advocates for obscurantism—the practice of deliberately preventing knowledge or clarity. thus, the word's literal journey from 'darkness' to a 'person who keeps things in the dark' perfectly encapsulates its modern meaning of opposing enlightenment and the spread of information.
Analysis
Structure: obscur (dark) + ant (adjective suffix) + ist (noun suffix, denoting a person)
- obscur: from latin obscurus meaning 'dark, dim, hidden, indistinct'.
- ant: a suffix forming adjectives, from latin -ant-, -ens.
- ist: a suffix forming agent nouns, from greek -istēs via latin -ista.
Examples
the regime was accused of being obscurantist, suppressing scientific reports that contradicted its ideology.
his obscurantist views on education reform were met with fierce criticism from academics.
the essay criticized the obscurantist tendencies in modern literary theory, arguing for greater clarity.