[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/darkness/)

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# darkness

noun (darkness — uncountable)

«darkness» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Darkness is when there is little or no light. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/darkness/#m1)
2. Darkness can also mean evil or sadness in stories. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/darkness/#m2)

### In the lessons

In science darkness is the absence of light: we can only see when light enters our eyes, so in total darkness we see nothing. In stories darkness builds fear or mystery. Phrases: «in darkness», «in the darkness», «total darkness», «the darkness of night».

### Examples

- The room was in total darkness. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/darkness/#x1)
- Owls can hunt in the darkness. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/darkness/#x2)
- We waited in the darkness for the fireworks. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/darkness/#x3)
- Darkness fell over the town. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/darkness/#x4)
- In stories, the hero fights the forces of darkness. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/darkness/#x5)
- Some children feel scared of the darkness. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/darkness/#x6)
- Cats see better than people in darkness. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/darkness/#x7)
- The darkness of night came on. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/darkness/#x8)

### Note

Uncountable. Formed from dark + -ness. Myth: cats cannot see in total darkness; they need at least a little light. Darkness is not a thing that comes in, it is simply the lack of light.

## In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: In Genesis, God separates light from darkness at creation. The thick darkness at Sinai is read as the cloud of mystery around God's presence. In the primary lessons: In science darkness is the absence of light: we can only see when light enters our eyes, so in total darkness we see nothing. In stories darkness builds fear or mystery. Phrases: «in darkness», «in the darkness», «total darkness», «the darkness of night».

### Examples

- And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. (Torah GEN.1.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/darkness/#x1)
- And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. (Torah GEN.1.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/darkness/#x2)
- And the people stood afar off; but Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. (Torah EXO.20.21, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/darkness/#x3)
- It is darkness, and not light. (Prophets AMO.5.18, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/darkness/#x4)
- Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? (Prophets AMO.5.20, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/darkness/#x5)
- They change the night into day; the light is short because of darkness. (Writings JOB.17.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/darkness/#x6)

### Note

Uncountable. Formed from dark + -ness. Myth: cats cannot see in total darkness; they need at least a little light. Darkness is not a thing that comes in, it is simply the lack of light.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «darkness» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/darkness/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«darkness» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/darkness.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «darkness» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/darkness/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«darkness» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/darkness.html) on Mova free.