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Webster 1913 Edition


Coarse

Coarse

(kōrs)
,
Adj.
[
Com
par.
Coarser
(kōrs′ẽr)
;
sup
erl.
Coarsest
.]
[As this word was anciently written
course
, or
cours
, it may be an abbreviation of
of course
, in the common manner of proceeding, common, and hence, homely, made for common domestic use, plain, rude, rough, gross, e. g., “Though the threads be
course
.”
Gascoigne.
See
Course
.]
1.
Large in bulk, or composed of large parts or particles; of inferior quality or appearance; not fine in material or close in texture; gross; thick; rough; – opposed to
fine
;
as,
coarse
sand;
coarse
thread;
coarse
cloth;
coarse
bread
.
2.
Not refined; rough; rude; unpolished; gross; indelicate;
as,
coarse
manners;
coarse
language
.
I feel
Of what
coarse
metal ye are molded.
Shakespeare
Syn. – Large; thick; rough; gross; blunt; uncouth; unpolished; inelegant; indelicate; vulgar.

Webster 1828 Edition


Coarse

COARSE

, a.
1.
Thick; large or gross in bulk; comparatively of large diameter; as coarse thread or yarn; coarse hair; coarse sand. This seems to be the primary sense of the word; opposed to fine or slender. Hence,
2.
Thick; rough; or made of coarse thread or yarn; as coarse cloth.
3.
Not refined; not separated from grosser particles, or impurities; as coarse metal; coarse glass.
4.
Rude; rough; unrefined; uncivil; as coarse manners.
5.
Gross; not delicate.
The coarser tie of human law.
6.
Rude; rough; unpolished; inelegant; applied to language.
7.
Not nicely expert; not accomplished by art or education; as a coarse practitioner.
8.
Mean; not nice; not refined or elegant; as a coarse perfume; a coarse diet.

Definition 2024


coarse

coarse

English

Adjective

coarse (comparative coarser, superlative coarsest)

  1. Composed of large parts or particles; of inferior quality or appearance; not fine in material or close in texture.
  2. Lacking refinement, taste or delicacy;
    coarse manners
    coarse language

Usage notes

  • Nouns to which "coarse" is often applied: language, particle, grain, graining, sand, powder, gravel, grit, salt, gold, thread, hair, cloth, grid, aggregate, texture, grass, fish, angling, fishing.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • (of inferior quality): fine

Derived terms

Translations

Anagrams