a. [ L. obscenus, obscaenus, obscoenus, ill looking, filthy, obscene: cf. F. obscéne. ] [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Words that were once chaste, by frequent use grew obscene and uncleanly. I. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Foul; fifthy; disgusting. [ 1913 Webster ]

A girdle foul with grease binds his obscene attire. Dryden (Aeneid, vi. 417). [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Inauspicious; ill-omened. [ R. ] [ A Latinism ] [ 1913 Webster ]

At the cheerful light,
The groaning ghosts and birds obscene take flight. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Impure; immodest; indecent; unchaste; lewd. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Ob*scene"ly, adv. -- Ob*scene"ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Obscenities [ L. obscentias: cf. F. obscénité. ] That quality in words or things which presents what is offensive to chastity or purity of mind; obscene or impure lanquage or acts; moral impurity; lewdness; obsceneness; as, the obscenity of a speech, or a picture. [ 1913 Webster ]

Mr. Cowley asserts plainly, that obscenity has no place in wit. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

No pardon vile obscenity should find. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. obscurans, p. pr. of obscurare to obscure. ] One who obscures; one who prevents enlightenment or hinders the progress of knowledge and wisdom. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The system or the principles of the obscurants. C. Kingsley. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Same as Obscurant. Ed. Rev. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. obscurativ: cf. F. obscuration. See Obscure, v. t. ] The act or operation of obscuring; the state of being obscured; as, the obscuration of the moon in an eclipse. Sir J. Herschel. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Compar. Obscurer superl. Obscurest. ] [ L. obscurus, orig., covered; ob- (see Ob-) + a root probably meaning, to cover; cf. L. scutum shield, Skr. sku to cover: cf. F. obscur. Cf. Sky. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Covered over, shaded, or darkened; destitute of light; imperfectly illuminated; dusky; dim. [ 1913 Webster ]

His lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. Prov. xx. 20. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of or pertaining to darkness or night; inconspicuous to the sight; indistinctly seen; hidden; retired; remote from observation; unnoticed. [ 1913 Webster ]

The obscure bird
Clamored the livelong night. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The obscure corners of the earth. Sir J. Davies. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Not noticeable; humble; mean. “O base and obscure vulgar.” Shak. “An obscure person.” Atterbury. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Not easily understood; not clear or legible; abstruse or incomprehensible; as, an obscure passage or inscription. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Not clear, full, or distinct; clouded; imperfect; as, an obscure view of remote objects. [ 1913 Webster ]

Obscure rays (Opt.), those rays which are not luminous or visible, and which in the spectrum are beyond the limits of the visible portion. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Dark; dim; darksome; dusky; shadowy; misty; abstruse; intricate; difficult; mysterious; retired; unnoticed; unknown; humble; mean; indistinct. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Obscured p. pr. & vb. n. Obscuring. ] [ L. obscurare, fr. obscurus: cf. OF. obscurer. See Obscure, a. ] To render obscure; to darken; to make dim; to keep in the dark; to hide; to make less visible, intelligible, legible, glorious, beautiful, or illustrious. [ 1913 Webster ]

They are all couched in a pit hard by Herne's oak, with obscured lights. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Why, 't is an office of discovery, love,
And I should be obscured. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

There is scarce any duty which has been so obscured by the writings of learned men as this. Wake. [ 1913 Webster ]

And seest not sin obscures thy godlike frame? Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To conceal one's self; to hide; to keep dark. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

How! There's bad news.
I must obscure, and hear it. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Obscurity. [ Obs. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]