tenebrificous

comparative more tenebrificous · superlative most tenebrificous

1. obsoleteSynonym of tenebrific (“producing darkness”).

   I have a new theory of optics demonſtrating, that darkneſs is cauſed by certain tenebrificous rays oppugning, obtunding, ſheathing, and abſorbing the rays of light.

   1752 November 25, Samuel Johnson [et al.], “Number VI. SATURDAY, November 25, 1752.”, in The Adventurer, volume I, London: […] J[ohn] Payne, […], published 1753, →OCLC, page 34

   2 more examples

   But to fancy any Stars efficiently and poſitively to cauſe cold, is as extravagant and ridiculous as that conceit of Paracelſus, that imagined that it was not the abſence of the Sun but certain Tenebrificous Stars that cauſed Night.

   1681, Henry More, “A Confutation of Aſtrology” (chapter XVI), in Tetractys Anti-Astrologica, […] , London: Printed by J[ohn] M[artyn] for Walter Kettilby, […] , →OCLC, page 86

   I consider writers in the same view this sage astrologer does the heavenly bodies. Some of them are stars that scatter light as others do darkness. I could mention several authors who are tenebrificous stars of the first magnitude, and point out a knot of gentlemen, who have been dull in consort, and may be looked upon as a dark constellation.

   1714 August 28 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “TUESDAY, August 18, 1714”, in The Spectator, number 582; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume VI, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC, pages 326–327

   Synonyms: tenebrific