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Webster 1913 Edition


Obscene

Ob-scene′

,
Adj.
[L.
obscenus
,
obscaenus
,
obscoenus
, ill looking, filthy, obscene: cf. F.
obscéne
.]
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.
Words that were once chaste, by frequent use grew
obscene
and uncleanly.
I. Watts.
2.
Foul; fifthy; disgusting.
A girdle foul with grease binds his
obscene
attire.
Dryden (Aeneid, vi. 417).
3.
Inauspicious; ill-omened.
[R.]
[A Latinism]
At the cheerful light,
The groaning ghosts and birds
obscene
take flight.
Dryden.
Syn. – Impure; immodest; indecent; unchaste; lewd.
Ob-scene′ly
,
adv.
Ob-scene′ness
,
Noun.

Webster 1828 Edition


Obscene

OBSCE'NE

,
Adj.
[L. obscaenus.]
1.
Offensive to chastity and delicacy; impure; expressing or presenting to the mind or view something which delicacy, purity and decency forbid; to be exposed; as obscene language; obscene pictures.
2.
Foul; filthy; offensive; disgusting.
A girdle foul with grease binds his obscene attire.
3.
Inauspicious; ill omened.
At the cheerful light, the groaning ghosts and birds obscene take flight.

Definition 2024


obscene

obscene

See also: obscène

English

Alternative forms

Adjective

obscene (comparative obscener or more obscene, superlative obscenest or most obscene) (see usage notes)

  1. Offensive to current standards of decency or morality
  2. Lewd or lustful
  3. Disgusting or repulsive
  4. Beyond all reason
  5. Liable to deprave or corrupt

Usage notes

  • The comparative obscener and superlative obscenest, though formed by valid rules for English, are less common than more obscene and most obscene.

Translations


Latin

Adjective

obscēne

  1. vocative masculine singular of obscēnus

References


Romanian

Noun

obscene f pl

  1. plural of obscenă