Indistinct is spelled with the prefix "in," which means "not," followed by the word "distinct." The pronunciation of this word is /ˌɪn.dɪˈstɪŋkt/. It has four syllables, with the primary stress on the second syllable. The first syllable is pronounced /ˌɪn/, while the second syllable is pronounced /dɪ/. The third syllable is pronounced /ˈstɪŋk/, and the fourth syllable is pronounced /t/. The word means unclear, fuzzy, or not easily distinguishable.
Indistinct refers to something that is not clear, clearly defined, or discernible due to a lack of clarity, detail, or specificity. It implies a lack of distinctness or precision in the perception or understanding of an object, sound, image, idea, or situation.
When used to describe a physical object, indistinct suggests that the features, outlines, or details of that object are blurred, fuzzy, or not easily distinguishable. For example, an indistinct silhouette may be partially obscured, making it difficult to identify or recognize the specific shape or form.
In terms of sound, indistinct refers to something that lacks clarity, making it vague or hard to make out. It can describe a muffled or garbled sound that is not easily audible or intelligible.
When applied to ideas or concepts, indistinct indicates a lack of precision or clarity in their definition or meaning. It suggests that the understanding or perception of these ideas is hazy, blurry, or lacking sufficient detail to be clearly comprehended.
Indistinct can also refer to a situation, event, or memory that is vague, unclear, or lacks a distinct character. This might mean that the details or circumstances surrounding such a situation are uncertain or not fully known.
Overall, indistinct implies a lack of clarity or clear definition, whether related to physical objects, sounds, ideas, or situations, resulting in a blurred, vague, or uncertain perception or understanding.
Not plainly marked; obscure; confused; faint; imperfect.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word indistinct has its origins in the Latin language. It is formed by combining the prefix in- (meaning not) and the word distinctus, which is the past participle of the verb distinguo. Distinguo derives from the Latin words dis- (meaning apart or asunder) and stinguo (meaning to prick or to separate). Therefore, the etymology of indistinct reflects its meaning as not clearly distinguishable or separate.