Ob*scene" (?), a. [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 b&?;&?;ds his obscene
attire.
Dryden.
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, n.
