Ob*scene"ness

Obscene \Ob*scene"\, a. [L. obscenus, obscaenus, obscoenus, ill
   looking, filthy, obscene: cf. F. obsc['e]ne.]
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   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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