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 ]