Old English purblind ("short-sighted, near-sighted")
Middle English purblind
From pur ("pure, very") + blind
Meaning:
Purblind means partially or completely blind, especially in one eye.
Figuratively, it can also refer to someone who is unable to see or understand something clearly due to a limited perspective or prejudice.
Origin:
The origin of the word "purblind" is uncertain, but it is thought to have originated from the following possibilities:
Partial blindness: "Pur" may have originally referred to "pure" or "only" one eye being affected by blindness.
Severe blindness: "Pur" may have been an intensifier, emphasizing the severity of the blindness.
Figurative meaning: The figurative meaning of "purblind" may have arisen from the literal meaning, suggesting that someone with limited vision cannot see things as clearly as others.
Usage:
"The purblind old man struggled to read the newspaper." (Literal meaning)
"He was purblind to the obvious solution to the problem." (Figurative meaning)