Obsceneness

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Obscene \Ob*scene"\, a. [L. obscenus, obscaenus, obscoenus, ill
     looking, filthy, obscene: cf. F. obsc['e]ne.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. Offensive to chastity or modesty; expressing or presenting
        to the mind or view something which delicacy, purity, and
        decency forbid to be exposed; impure; as, obscene


        language; obscene pictures.
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              Words that were once chaste, by frequent use grew
              obscene and uncleanly.                --I. Watts.
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     2. Foul; fifthy; disgusting.
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              A girdle foul with grease binds his obscene attire.
                                                    --Dryden
                                                    (Aeneid, vi.
                                                    417).
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     3. Inauspicious; ill-omened. [R.] [A Latinism]
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              At the cheerful light,
              The groaning ghosts and birds obscene take flight.
                                                    --Dryden.
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     Syn: Impure; immodest; indecent; unchaste; lewd.
          [1913 Webster] -- {Ob*scene"ly}, adv. --
          {Ob*scene"ness}, n.
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