Blinded or obscured, especially by mist, rain, or tears; unable to see clearly.
From Old English bisen or Middle English bisson, possibly related to Old Norse byssa (to beat down). The word originally described weather conditions that obscured vision, then expanded to mean blindness from any cause.
Shakespeare used 'bisson rheum' (bisson tears) to describe crying so hard you go temporarily blind—it's a poetic way of saying emotions overwhelm your senses!
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