Final answer:
The word "obliterated" generally means something has been physically destroyed or erased to the point of being unrecognizable or non-existent.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the provided text, when the author uses the term "obliterated", they typically mean that something has been physically destroyed or wiped out to the point where it no longer exists or is unrecognizable. This term could also metaphorically mean that something has been erased from memory, depending on the context in which it is used. If the subject is related to a photograph, "disappeared from the photograph" might be applicable, but the most common definitions of "obliterated" pertain to physical destruction or the act of erasing.