obscure expression
[/əbˈskjʊr ɪkˈsprɛʃən/]
nounpl: obscure expressions
expressão obscura
1. A phrase, statement, or form of communication that is unclear, ambiguous, or difficult to understand due to its vague, cryptic, or unfamiliar nature
The poet's obscure expressions left critics debating the true meaning of the work for decades.
As expressões obscuras do poeta deixaram críticos debatendo o significado verdadeiro da obra por décadas.
2. Language that deliberately hides meaning or makes communication difficult to comprehend
He communicated through obscure expressions that only a few scholars could decipher.
Ele se comunicava por meio de expressões obscuras que apenas alguns eruditos conseguiam decifrar.
3. A turn of phrase referencing something little-known, rare, or not commonly used in everyday language
The author's use of obscure expressions made the novel challenging for general readers.
O uso de expressões obscuras pelo autor tornou o romance desafiador para leitores comuns.
In both Brazilian and American academic contexts, obscure expressions are often associated with literary criticism, philosophy, and scholarly discourse. In Brazil, the appreciation for poetic and elaborate language in literature makes obscure expressions a notable feature of intellectual writing. In the USA, clarity is often valued in communication, making obscure expressions potentially viewed as pretentious or exclusionary, though they remain important in literary and academic circles.
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