blur

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a hazy or indistinct representation

   it happened so fast it was just a blur

2. 2
   verb

   to become vague or indistinct

   The distinction between the two theories blurred.

3. 3
   verb

   to make dim or indistinct

   The fog blurs my vision.

4. 4
   verb

   to make unclear, indistinct, or blurred

   I blurred the photo on my computer.

5. 5
   verb

   make a smudge on

   I blurred the photo with my thumb.

6. 6
   verb

   to become glassy

   My vision blurred and I had to hold onto my chair to maintain balance.

7. 7
   verb

   to make less distinct or clear

   The haze blurs the hills.

8. 8
   verb

   To make indistinct or hazy, to obscure or dim.

   to blur a photograph (by moving the camera while taking it)

Etymology

From earlier blurre, probably an alteration of blear, from Middle English bleren, from Old English *blerian (attested in āblered (“made bare, made bald”)), from Proto-West Germanic *blaʀjan, from Proto-Germanic *blazjaną (“to make pale”), from Proto-Germanic *blasaz (“pale”). Compare Scots blore, bloar (“to blur, cover with blots”), Low German bleeroged (“blear-eyed”). More at blear.