adj

purblind

Purblind (adj) means of a person: having impaired vision; partially blind; dim-sighted.

adj

Of a person: having impaired vision; partially blind; dim-sighted.

Of the eyes: unable to see well, especially due to old age; weak.

Of a person: lacking in discernment or understanding; dim-witted, unintelligent.

Of a place: poorly illuminated; dark, dim.

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Etymology

The adjective is derived from Middle English purblind (“(adjective) completely blind; blind in one eye; near-sighted; (noun) near-sighted animal, specifically a hare”) [and other forms], possibly from pur, pure (“completely, entirely”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *pewH- (“to be clean; pure”); influenced by pur- (prefix meaning ‘completely; forward; in advance’)) + blind (“sightless, blind”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰlendʰ- (“to blend, mix up; to make cloudy or opaque”)). Adjective sense 4.1 (“completely blind”) was the original sense. The senses denoting partial blindness are possibly the result of confusion of the first element pur- with poor, perhaps through folk etymology. (Compare parboil regarding per versus pars.) The noun and verb are derived from the adjective.

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of purblind?

"purblind" (adj) means of a person: having impaired vision; partially blind; dim-sighted.

What are the different meanings of purblind?

"purblind" has 3 main meanings: 1. Of a person: having impaired vision; partially blind; dim-sighted; 2. Of the eyes: unable to see well, especially due to old age; weak; 3. Of a person: lacking in discernment or understanding; dim-witted, unintelligent.