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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Dim

Dĭm, a.

adjective

a. [compar. DIMMER; superl. DIMMEST.] [A-S. & O. Fries. dim, Icel. dimmr, O. Sax. thimm, allied to Skr. tamas, Lith. tamsa, darkness, tamsus, dark, Russ. temny, Ir. tem; Icel. dimma, to grow dark.]

Sense 1. Not bright or distinct; wanting brilliancy, luminousness, or clearness; of obscure luster or sound; dusky; darkish; obscure; mysterious. “The dim magnificence of poetry.” Whewell.

How is the gold become dim? Lam. iv. 1.

I never saw The heavens so dim by day. Shak.

Sense 2. Of obscure vision; not seeing clearly; hence, dull of apprehension; of weak perception; obtuse.

His eyes are waxing dim. Tennyson.

Synonyms—Obscure; dusky; dark; mysterious; imperfect; dull; sullied; tarnished.

Dim, v. t.

verbtransitive

[imp. & p. p. DIMMED; p. pr. & vb. n. DIMMING.] 1. To render dim, obscure, or dark; to make less bright or distinct; to take away the luster of; to darken; to dull. A king among his courtiers, who dims all his attendants. Dryden. Now set the sun, and twilight dimmed the ways. Cowper. 2. To deprive of distinct vision; to darken the senses or understanding of. Her starry eyes were dimmed with streaming tears. Pitt.