Därk'en1, v. t.
(därk'n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. DARKENED; p. pr. & vb. n. DARKENING.] [A-S. dearcian, adeorcian. See DARK, a.]
Sense 1. To make dark or black; to deprive of light; to obscure.
They [locusts] covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened. Ex. x. 15.
So spake the Sovran Voice, and clouds began To darken all the hill. Milton.
Sense 2. To render dim; to deprive of vision.
Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see. Rom. xi. 10.
Sense 3. To render ignorant or stupid; to cloud, obscure, or perplex.
Such was his wisdom that his confidence did seldom darken his foresight. Bacon.
Sense 4. To render less clear or intelligible; to obscure.
Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Job xxxviii. 2.
Sense 5. To cast a gloom upon.
With these forced thoughts, I pr’ythee, darken not The mirth of the feast. Shak.
Sense 6. To make foul; to sully.
I must not think there are Evils enough to darken all his goodness. Shak.