obse

n. [ L. obsecratio: cf. F. obsecration. ] 1. The act of obsecrating or imploring; as, the obsecrations of the Litany, being those clauses beginning with “By.” Bp. Stillingfeet. Shipley. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Rhet.) A figure of speech in which the orator implores the assistance of God or man. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Expressing, or used in, entreaty; supplicatory. [ R. ] Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. obsequens, p. pr. of obsequi; ob (see Ob-) + sequi. See Sequence. ] Obedient; submissive; obsequious. [ Obs. ] Fotherby. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Obsequiousness. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. pl. See Obsequy. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. obsequiosus, fr. obsequium compliance, fr. obsequi, fr. obsequi: cf. F. obséquieux, See Obsequent, and cf. Obsequy. ] 1. Promptly obedient, or submissive, to the will of another; compliant; yielding to the desires of another; devoted. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

His servants weeping,
Obsequious to his orders, bear him hither. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Servilely or meanly attentive; compliant to excess; cringing; fawning; as, obsequious flatterer, parasite. [ 1913 Webster ]

There lies ever in “obsequious” at the present the sense of an observance which is overdone, of an unmanly readiness to fall in with the will of another. Trench. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. [ See Obsequy. ] Of or pertaining to obsequies; funereal. [ R. ] “To do obsequious sorrow.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Compliant; obedient; servile. See Yielding. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. In an obsequious manner; compliantly; fawningly. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In a manner appropriate to obsequies. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Whilst I a while obsequiously lament
The untimely fall of virtuous Lancaster. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being obsequious. South. [ 1913 Webster ]