For when plain ol' blind just won't do...
Ran across this in an Alexander Hamilton biography.
Wonder how the "pur" came to be dropped?
Pronunciation: \ˈpər-ˌblīnd\
Function: adjective
Etymology:Middle English pur blind, from pur purely, wholly, from pur pure
Date:14th century
1 a: obsolete : wholly blind b: partly blind
2: lacking in vision, insight, or understanding : obtuse
— pur·blind·ly \-ˌblīn(d)-lē\ adverb
— pur·blind·ness \-ˌblīn(d)-nəs\ noun
Purblind
- Slava
- Great Grand Panjandrum
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Okay, how does this happen? A word that means, etymologically, entirely blind now means partially blind. Nice twist, there.
I like the metaphorical use of obtuse. I can see where it would come in handy in debates about reform issues (education, crime, etc.) and the like.
I like the metaphorical use of obtuse. I can see where it would come in handy in debates about reform issues (education, crime, etc.) and the like.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.
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