mindmap root((难懂)) obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge: the poem is ~ to those unlearned in classics. dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous, mysterious, or sinister overtones: muttered ~ hints of revenge. vague implies a lack of clear definition or formulation because of inadequate conception or consideration: made ~ promises of reimbursement. 报销 enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality: left behind ~ works on alchemy. cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning and often an intent to perplex or challenge: a ~ message only a spy can decode. ambiguous applies to a difficulty of understanding arising from the use, usually inadvertent, of a word or words of multiple meanings: an ~ directive that can be taken either way. equivocal applies to the deliberate use of language open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading: the prisoner would give only ~ answers.