From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
darkness
n 1: absence of light or illumination [syn: dark] [ant:
light]
2: an unilluminated area; "he moved off into the darkness"
[syn: dark, shadow]
3: absence of moral or spiritual values; "the powers of
darkness" [syn: iniquity, wickedness, dark]
4: an unenlightened state; "he was in the dark concerning their
intentions"; "his lectures dispelled the darkness" [syn:
dark]
5: having a dark or somber color [ant: lightness]
6: a swarthy complexion [syn: duskiness, swarthiness]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Darkness \Dark"ness\, n.
1. The absence of light; blackness; obscurity; gloom.
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And darkness was upon the face of the deep. --Gen.
i. 2.
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2. A state of privacy; secrecy.
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What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light.
--Matt. x. 27.
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3. A state of ignorance or error, especially on moral or
religious subjects; hence, wickedness; impurity.
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Men loved darkness rather than light, because their
deeds were evil. --John. iii.
19.
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Pursue these sons of darkness: drive them out
From all heaven's bounds. --Milton.
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4. Want of clearness or perspicuity; obscurity; as, the
darkness of a subject, or of a discussion.
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5. A state of distress or trouble.
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A day of clouds and of thick darkness. --Joel. ii.
2.
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Prince of darkness, the Devil; Satan. "In the power of the
Prince of darkness." --Locke.
Syn: Darkness, Dimness, Obscurity, Gloom.
Usage: Darkness arises from a total, and dimness from a
partial, want of light. A thing is obscure when so
overclouded or covered as not to be easily perceived.
As tha shade or obscurity increases, it deepens into
gloom. What is dark is hidden from view; what is
obscure is difficult to perceive or penetrate; the eye
becomes dim with age; an impending storm fills the
atmosphere with gloom. When taken figuratively, these
words have a like use; as, the darkness of ignorance;
dimness of discernment; obscurity of reasoning; gloom
of superstition.
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