мракобес

[upthera44.livejournal.com]

Does anyone know the etymology of the word мракобес? Also, does it just mean "obscurantist" (i.e., a person who is content to be little known, to do things that have little social impact)?

Comments

[goddess-freyia.livejournal.com]

This word from мракобесие. This from French translation of the name of the play "La manie des ténèbres". The translation was free.

[ingwall.livejournal.com]

Мракобес is derived from мракобесие, which is a rough translation of a French play title manie de tenebre meaning "a madness of twilight". And it means "obscurantist" more in a sense of one who is opposed to the spread of knowledge, and is mistrustful of new ideas, an extreme traditionalist. Talibs would be a good example of мракобесы.

[emperor-spock.livejournal.com]

Agreed with ingwall's comment and definition of 'obscurantist', while yours apparently doesn't agree with the definitions given by various dictionaries. I wouldn't say that this word is commonly used in this meaning (i.e. 'a recluse').

[scolar.livejournal.com]

мракобес = poorly educated ultra-conservative.

[marsianka-selma.livejournal.com]

a brilliant definition, I agree

[sithoid.livejournal.com]

I think it should also be noted that not every poorly educated conservative is a мракобес; he must also be a person who believes in stupid and harmful superstitions and tries to spread his beliefs, even though these beliefs have been rejected by the progressive society. Standing for traditional values is just conservatism, but making someone reject medicine in favor of alternative medicine can be called мракобесие. Of course it's the speaker who decides which beliefs are stupid and harmful :)

[mirsoglasnomne.livejournal.com]

a mumbo-jumbo practitioner :)

[upthera44.livejournal.com]

Thanks everyone! An excellent word.