Chapter L: F. Ward (30)

||Nym*pha"les (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) An extensive family of ||butterflies including the nymphs, the satyrs, the monarchs, the ||heliconias, and others; -- called also brush-footed butterflies.

Nym*phe"an (?), a. [Gr. &?;. See Nymph.] Of, pertaining to, or appropriate to, nymphs; inhabited by nymphs; as, a nymphean cave.

Nymph"et (?), n. A little or young nymph. [Poetic] "The nymphets sporting there." Drayton.

{ Nymph"ic (?), Nymph"ic*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?; bridal.] Of or pertaining to nymphs.

Nym*phip"a*rous (?), a. [Nymph + L. parere to produce.] (Zoöl.) Producing pupas or nymphs.

Nymph"ish (?), a. Relating to nymphs; ladylike. "Nymphish war." Drayton.

{ Nymph"like` (?), Nymph"ly (?), } a. Resembling, or characteristic of, a nymph.

Nym"pho*lep`sy (?), n. [Gr. &?; a nymph + &?; to seize.] A species of demoniac enthusiasm or possession coming upon one who had accidentally looked upon a nymph; ecstasy. [R.] De Quincey.

The nympholepsy of some fond despair.

Byron.

Nym`pho*lep"tic (?), a. Under the influence of nympholepsy; ecstatic; frenzied. [Poetic]

Nym`pho*ma"ni*a (?), n. [Gr. &?; a bride + &?; madness.] (Med.) Morbid and uncontrollable sexual desire in women, constituting a true disease.

Nym"pho*ma`ny (?), n. [Cf. F. nymphomanie.] (Med.) Same as Nymphomania.

Nym*phot"o*my (?), n. [Nympha + Gr. &?; to cut.] (Med.) Excision of the nymphæ.

Nys (?). Is not. See Nis. Chaucer. Spenser.

||Nys*tag"mus (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; drowsiness, fr. &?; to nod in ||sleep, to slumber.] (Med.) A rapid involuntary oscillation of the ||eyeballs.

Ny*u"la (?), n. (Zoöl.) A species of ichneumon (Herpestes nyula). Its fur is beautifully variegated by closely set zigzag markings.

O.

O (). 1. O, the fifteenth letter of the English alphabet, derives its form, value, and name from the Greek O, through the Latin. The letter came into the Greek from the Phœnician, which possibly derived it ultimately from the Egyptian. Etymologically, the letter o is most closely related to a, e, and u; as in E. bone, AS. bn; E. stone, AS. stn; E. broke, AS. brecan to break; E. bore, AS. beran to bear; E. dove, AS. dfe; E. toft, tuft; tone, tune; number, F. nombre.

The letter o has several vowel sounds, the principal of which are its long sound, as in bone, its short sound, as in nod, and the sounds heard in the words orb, son, do (feod), and wolf (book). In connection with the other vowels it forms several digraphs and diphthongs. See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 107-129.

2. Among the ancients, O was a mark of triple time, from the notion that the ternary, or number 3, is the most perfect of numbers, and properly expressed by a circle, the most perfect figure.

O was also anciently used to represent 11: with a dash over it (), 11,000.

O (), n.; pl. O's or Oes (z). 1. The letter O, or its sound. "Mouthing out his hollow oes and aes." Tennyson.

2. Something shaped like the letter O; a circle or oval. "This wooden O [Globe Theater]". Shak.

3. A cipher; zero. [R.]

Thou art an O without a figure.

Shak.

O'. [Ir. o a descendant.] A prefix to Irish family names, which signifies grandson or descendant of, and is a character of dignity; as, O'Neil, O'Carrol.

O' (; unaccented ), prep. A shortened form of of or on. "At the turning o' the tide." Shak.

O (), a. [See One.] One. [Obs.] Chaucer. "Alle thre but o God." Piers Plowman.

O (?), interj. An exclamation used in calling or directly addressing a person or personified object; also, as an emotional or impassioned exclamation expressing pain, grief, surprise, desire, fear, etc.

For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.

Ps. cxix. 89.

O how love I thy law ! it is my meditation all the day.

Ps. cxix. 97.

O is frequently followed by an ellipsis and that, an in expressing a wish: "O [I wish] that Ishmael might live before thee !" Gen. xvii. 18; or in expressions of surprise, indignation, or regret: "O [it is sad] that such eyes should e'er meet other object !" Sheridan Knowles.

A distinction between the use of O and oh is insisted upon by some, namely, that O should be used only in direct address to a person or personified object, and should never be followed by the exclamation point, while Oh (or oh) should be used in exclamations where no direct appeal or address to an object is made, and may be followed by the exclamation point or not, according to the nature or construction of the sentence. Some insist that oh should be used only as an interjection expressing strong feeling. The form O, however, is, it seems, the one most commonly employed for both uses by modern writers and correctors for the press. "O, I am slain !" Shak. "O what a fair and ministering angel !" "O sweet angel !" Longfellow.

O for a kindling touch from that pure flame !

Wordsworth.

But she is in her grave, -- and oh The difference to me !

Wordsworth.

Oh for a lodge in some vast wilderness !

Cowper.

We should distinguish between the sign of the vocative and the
emotional interjection, writing O for the former, and oh for the
latter.

Earle.

O dear, ∧ O dear me! [corrupted fr. F. O Dieu! or It. O Dio! O God! O Dio mio! O my God! Wyman.], exclamations expressive of various emotions, but usually promoted by surprise, consternation, grief, pain, etc.

Oad (d), n. See Woad. [Obs.] Coles.

Oaf (f), n. [See Auf.] Originally, an elf's child; a changeling left by fairies or goblins; hence, a deformed or foolish child; a simpleton; an idiot.

Oaf"ish, a. Like an oaf; simple. -- Oaf"ish*ness, n.

Oak (k), n. [OE. oke, ok, ak, AS. c; akin to D. eik, G. eiche, OHG. eih, Icel. eik, Sw. ek, Dan. eeg.]

1. (Bot.) Any tree or shrub of the genus Quercus. The oaks have alternate leaves, often variously lobed, and staminate flowers in catkins. The fruit is a smooth nut, called an acorn, which is more or less inclosed in a scaly involucre called the cup or cupule. There are now recognized about three hundred species, of which nearly fifty occur in the United States, the rest in Europe, Asia, and the other parts of North America, a very few barely reaching the northern parts of South America and Africa. Many of the oaks form forest trees of grand proportions and live many centuries. The wood is usually hard and tough, and provided with conspicuous medullary rays, forming the silver grain.

2. The strong wood or timber of the oak.

Among the true oaks in America are: Barren oak, or Black-jack, Q. nigra. -- Basket oak, Q. Michauxii. -- Black oak, Q. tinctoria; -- called also yellow or quercitron oak. -- Bur oak (see under Bur.), Q. macrocarpa; -- called also over-cup or mossy-cup oak. -- Chestnut oak, Q. Prinus and Q. densiflora. -- Chinquapin oak (see under Chinquapin), Q. prinoides. -- Coast live oak, Q. agrifolia, of California; -- also called enceno. -- Live oak (see under Live), Q. virens, the best of all for shipbuilding; also, Q. Chrysolepis, of California. -- Pin oak. Same as Swamp oak. - - Post oak, Q. obtusifolia. -- Red oak, Q. rubra. -- Scarlet oak, Q. coccinea. -- Scrub oak, Q. ilicifolia, Q. undulata, etc. -- Shingle oak, Q. imbricaria. -- Spanish oak, Q. falcata. -- Swamp Spanish oak, or Pin oak, Q. palustris. -- Swamp white oak, Q. bicolor. -- Water oak, Q. aguatica. -- Water white oak, Q. lyrata. -- Willow oak, Q. Phellos.

Among the true oaks in Europe are: Bitter oak, or Turkey oak, Q. Cerris (see Cerris). -- Cork oak, Q. Suber. -- English white oak, Q. Robur. -- Evergreen oak, Holly oak, or Holm oak, Q. Ilex. -- Kermes oak, Q. coccifera. -- Nutgall oak, Q. infectoria.

Among plants called oak, but not of the genus Quercus, are: African oak, a valuable timber tree (Oldfieldia Africana). -- Australian, or She, oak, any tree of the genus Casuarina (see Casuarina). -- Indian oak, the teak tree (see Teak). -- Jerusalem oak. See under Jerusalem. -- New Zealand oak, a sapindaceous tree (Alectryon excelsum). -- Poison oak, the poison ivy. See under Poison. -- Silky, or Silk-bark, oak, an Australian tree (Grevillea robusta).

Green oak, oak wood colored green by the growth of the mycelium of certain fungi. -- Oak apple, a large, smooth, round gall produced on the leaves of the American red oak by a gallfly (Cynips confluens). It is green and pulpy when young. -- Oak beauty (Zoöl.), a British geometrid moth (Biston prodromaria) whose larva feeds on the oak. -- Oak gall, a gall found on the oak. See 2d Gall. -- Oak leather (Bot.), the mycelium of a fungus which forms leatherlike patches in the fissures of oak wood. -- Oak pruner. (Zoöl.) See Pruner, the insect. -- Oak spangle, a kind of gall produced on the oak by the insect Diplolepis lenticularis. -- Oak wart, a wartlike gall on the twigs of an oak. -- The Oaks, one of the three great annual English horse races (the Derby and St. Leger being the others). It was instituted in 1779 by the Earl of Derby, and so called from his estate. -- To sport one's oak, to be "not at home to visitors," signified by closing the outer (oaken) door of one's rooms. [Cant, Eng. Univ.]

Oak"en (?), a. [AS. cen.] Made or consisting of oaks or of the wood of oaks. "In oaken bower." Milton.

Oaken timber, wherewith to build ships.

Bacon.

Oak"er (?), n. See Ocher. [Obs.] Spenser.

Oak"ling (?), n. A young oak. Evelyn.

<! p. 989 !>

Oak"um (?), n. [AS. cumba; pref. &?; (cf.G. er-, Goth. us-, orig. meaning, out) + cemban to comb, camb comb. See Comb.] 1. The material obtained by untwisting and picking into loose fiber old hemp ropes; -- used for calking the seams of ships, stopping leaks, etc.

2. The coarse portion separated from flax or hemp in nackling. Knight.

White oakum, that made from untarred rope.

Oak"y (?), n. Resembling oak; strong. Bp. Hall.

Oar (?), n [AS. r; akin to Icel. r, Dan. aare, Sw. åra; perh. akin to E. row, v. Cf. Rowlock.]

1. An implement for impelling a boat, being a slender piece of timber, usually ash or spruce, with a grip or handle at one end and a broad blade at the other. The part which rests in the rowlock is called the loom.

An oar is a kind of long paddle, which swings about a kind of fulcrum, called a rowlock, fixed to the side of the boat.

2. An oarsman; a rower; as, he is a good oar.

3. (Zoöl.) An oarlike swimming organ of various invertebrates.

Oar cock (Zoöl), the water rail. [Prov. Eng.] -- Spoon oar, an oar having the blade so curved as to afford a better hold upon the water in rowing. -- To boat the oars, to cease rowing, and lay the oars in the boat. -- To feather the oars. See under Feather., v. t. -- To lie on the oars, to cease pulling, raising the oars out of water, but not boating them; to cease from work of any kind; to be idle; to rest. -- To muffle the oars, to put something round that part which rests in the rowlock, to prevent noise in rowing. -- To put in one's oar, to give aid or advice; -- commonly used of a person who obtrudes aid or counsel not invited. -- To ship the oars, to place them in the rowlocks. -- To toss the oars, To peak the oars, to lift them from the rowlocks and hold them perpendicularly, the handle resting on the bottom of the boat. - - To trail oars, to allow them to trail in the water alongside of the boat. -- To unship the oars, to take them out of the rowlocks.

Oar, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Oared (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Oaring.] To row. "Oared himself." Shak.

Oared with laboring arms.

Pope.

Oared (?), a. 1. Furnished with oars; -- chiefly used in composition; as, a four- oared boat.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) Having feet adapted for swimming. (b) Totipalmate; -- said of the feet of certain birds. See Illust. of Aves.

Oared shrew (Zoöl.), an aquatic European shrew (Crossopus ciliatus); -- called also black water shrew.

Oar"fish` (r"fsh`), n. (Zoöl.) The ribbon fish.

Oar"foot` (-ft`), n. (Zoöl.) Any crustacean of the genus Remipes.

Oar"-foot`ed a. Having feet adapted for swimming.

Oar"less, a. Without oars. Sylvester.

Oar"lock` (r"lk`), n. (Naut.), The notch, fork, or other device on the gunwale of a boat, in which the oar rests in rowing. See Rowlock.

Oars"man (rz"man), n.; pl. Oarsmen (-men). One who uses, or is skilled in the use of, an oar; a rower.

At the prow of the boat, rose one of the oarsmen.

Longfellow.

Oars"weed` (r"wd`), n. (Bot.) Any large seaweed of the genus Laminaria; tangle; kelp. See Kelp.

Oar"y (r"), a. Having the form or the use of an oar; as, the swan's oary feet. Milton. Addison.

O"as*is ("*ss or *"ss; 277), n.; pl. Oases (-sz). [L., fr. Gr. 'o`asis; cf. Copt. ouahe.] A fertile or green spot in a waste or desert, esp. in a sandy desert.

My one oasis in the dust and drouth Of city life.

Tennyson.

Oast (st), n. [OE. ost, AS. st; cf. Gr. a'i^qos burning heat.] A kiln to dry hops or malt; a cockle. Mortimer.

Oat (t), n.; pl. Oats (ts). [OE. ote, ate, AS. ta, akin to Fries. oat. Of uncertain origin.] 1. (Bot.) A well-known cereal grass (Avena sativa), and its edible grain; -- commonly used in the plural and in a collective sense.

2. A musical pipe made of oat straw. [Obs.] Milton.

Animated oats or Animal oats (Bot.), A grass (Avena sterilis) much like oats, but with a long spirally twisted awn which coils and uncoils with changes of moisture, and thus gives the grains an apparently automatic motion. -- Oat fowl (Zoöl.), the snow bunting; -- so called from its feeding on oats. [Prov. Eng.] -- Oat grass (Bot.), the name of several grasses more or less resembling oats, as Danthonia spicata, D. sericea, and Arrhenatherum avenaceum, all common in parts of the United States. -- To feel one's oats, to be conceited ro self-important. [Slang] -- To sow one's wild oats, to indulge in youthful dissipation. Thackeray. -- Wild oats (Bot.), a grass (Avena fatua) much resembling oats, and by some persons supposed to be the original of cultivated oats.

Oat"cake (?), n. A cake made of oatmeal.

Oat"en (?), a. 1. Consisting of an oat straw or stem; as, an oaten pipe. Milton.

2. Made of oatmeal; as, oaten cakes.

Oath (th), n.; pl. Oaths (z). [OE. othe, oth, ath, AS. ð; akin to D. eed, OS. ð, G. eid, Icel. eiðr, Sw. ed, Dan. eed, Goth. aiþs; cf. OIr. oeth.] 1. A solemn affirmation or declaration, made with a reverent appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed. "I have an oath in heaven" Shak.

An oath of secrecy for the concealing of those [inventions] which
we think fit to keep secret.

Bacon.

2. A solemn affirmation, connected with a sacred object, or one regarded as sacred, as the temple, the altar, the blood of Abel, the Bible, the Koran, etc.

3. (Law) An appeal (in verification of a statement made) to a superior sanction, in such a form as exposes the party making the appeal to an indictment for perjury if the statement be false.

4. A careless and blasphemous use of the name of the divine Being, or anything divine or sacred, by way of appeal or as a profane exclamation or ejaculation; an expression of profane swearing. "A terrible oath" Shak.

Oath"a*ble (?), a. Capable of having an oath administered to. [Obs.] Shak.

Oath"break`ing (?), n. The violation of an oath; perjury. Shak

Oat"meal` (?), n. 1. Meal made of oats. Gay.

2. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Panicum; panic grass.

Ob- (?). [L. ob, prep. Cf. Epi-.] A prefix signifying to, toward, before, against, reversely, etc.; also, as a simple intensive; as in oblige, to bind to; obstacle, something standing before; object, lit., to throw against; obovate, reversely, ovate. Ob- is commonly assimilated before c, f, g, and p, to oc-, of-, og-, and op- .

Ob"com*pressed" (?). a. [Pref. ob- + compressed.] Compressed or flattened antero- posteriorly, or in a way opposite to the usual one.

{ Ob*con"ic (?), Ob*con"ic*al (?), } a. [Pref. ob- + conic, conical.] Conical, but having the apex downward; inversely conical.

Ob*cor"date (?), a. [Pref. ob- + cordate.] Heart-shaped, with the attachment at the pointed end; inversely cordate: as, an obcordate petal or leaf.

Ob*dip`lo*stem"o*nous (?), a. [Pref. ob- + diplostemonous.] (Bot.) Having twice as many stamens as petals, those of the outer set being opposite the petals; -- said of flowers. Gray.

Ob*dip"lo*stem"o*ny (?), n. (Bot.) The condition of being obdiplostemonous.

Ob"dor*mi"tion (?), n. [L. obdormire to fall asleep.] Sleep. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Ob*duce" (?), v. t. [L. obducere, obductum; ob (see Ob-) + ducere to lead.] To draw over, as a covering. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.

Ob*duct" (&?;), v. t. [See Obduce.] To draw over; to cover. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Ob*duc"tion (?), n. [L. obductio.] The act of drawing or laying over, as a covering. [Obs.]

Ob"du*ra*cy (?), n. The duality or state of being obdurate; invincible hardness of heart; obstinacy. "Obduracy and persistency." Shak.

The absolute completion of sin in final obduracy.

South.

Ob"du*rate (?), a. [L. obduratus, p. p. of obdurare to harden; ob (see Ob-)+ durare to harden, durus hard. See Dure.] 1. Hardened in feelings, esp. against moral or mollifying influences; unyielding; hard-hearted; stubbornly wicked.

The very custom of evil makes the heart obdurate against whatsoever
instructions to the contrary.

Hooker.

Art thou obdurate, flinty, hard as steel, Nay, more than flint, for
stone at rain relenteth?

Shak.

2. Hard; harsh; rugged; rough; intractable. "Obdurate consonants." Swift.

Sometimes accented on the second syllable, especially by the older poets.

There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart.

Cowper.

Syn. -- Hard; firm; unbending; inflexible; unyielding; stubborn; obstinate; impenitent; callous; unfeeling; insensible; unsusceptible. -- Obdurate, Callous, Hardened. Callous denotes a deadening of the sensibilities; as. a callous conscience. Hardened implies a general and settled disregard for the claims of interest, duty, and sympathy; as, hardened in vice. Obdurate implies an active resistance of the heart and will aganst the pleadings of compassion and humanity.

-- Ob"du*rate*ly (#), adv. -- Ob"du*rate*ness, n.

Ob"du*rate (?), v. t. To harden. [Obs.]

Ob"du*ra"tion (?), n. [L. obduratio.] A hardening of the heart; hardness of heart. [Obs.]

Ob*dure" (b*dr"), v. t. To harden. [Obs.] Milton.

{ Ob*dure" (b*dr"), Ob*dured" (b*drd"), } a. Obdurate; hard. [Obs.]

This saw his hapless foes, but stood obdured.

Milton.

{ Ob*dure"ness, n., Ob*dur"ed*ness (?), n.} Hardness. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Ob"e ("b), n. See Obi.

O*be"ah (?). n. Same as Obi. -- a. Of or pertaining to obi; as, the obeah man. B. Edwards.

O*be"di*ble (?), a. Obedient. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

O*be"di*ence (?), n. [F. obédience, L. obedientia, oboedientia. See Obedient, and cf. Obeisance.]

1. The act of obeying, or the state of being obedient; compliance with that which is required by authority; subjection to rightful restraint or control.

Government must compel the obedience of individuals.

Ames.

2. Words or actions denoting submission to authority; dutifulness. Shak.

3. (Eccl.) (a) A following; a body of adherents; as, the Roman Catholic obedience, or the whole body of persons who submit to the authority of the pope. (b) A cell (or offshoot of a larger monastery) governed by a prior. (c) One of the three monastic vows. Shipley. (d) The written precept of a superior in a religious order or congregation to a subject.

Canonical obedience. See under Canonical. -- Passive obedience. See under Passive.

O*be`di*en"ci*a*ry (?), n. One yielding obedience. [Obs.] Foxe.

O*be"di*ent (?), a. [OF. obedient, L. obediens, oboediens, -entis. p. pr. of obedire, oboedire, to obey. See Obey.] Subject in will or act to authority; willing to obey; submissive to restraint, control, or command.

And floating straight, obedient to the stream.

Shak.

The chief his orders gives; the obedient band, With due observance,
wait the chief's command.

Pope.

Syn. -- Dutiful; respectful; compliant; submissive.

O*be`di*en"tial (?), a. [Cf. F. obédientiel.] According to the rule of obedience. [R.]

An obediental subjection to the Lord of Nature.

Sir M. Hale.

O*be"di*ent*ly (?), adv. In an obedient manner; with obedience.

O*bei"sance (?), n. [F. obéissance obedience, fr. obéissant. See Obey, and cf. Obedience, Abaisance.] 1. Obedience. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. A manifestation of obedience; an expression of difference or respect; homage; a bow; a courtesy.

Bathsheba bowed and did obeisance unto the king.

1 Kings i. 16.

O*bei"san*cy (?), n. See Obeisance. [Obs.]

O*bei"sant (?), a. [F. obéissant, p. pr. of obéir to obey.] Ready to obey; reverent; differential; also, servilely submissive.

||O*be"li*on (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; a spit.] (Anat.) The region of ||the skull between the two parietal foramina where the closure of the ||sagittal suture usually begins.

Ob`e*lis"cal (?), a. Formed like an obelisk.

Ob"e*lisk (?), n. [L. obeliscus, Gr. &?;, dim. of &?; a spit, a pointed pillar: cf. F. obélisque.] 1. An upright, four- sided pillar, gradually tapering as it rises, and terminating in a pyramid called pyramidion. It is ordinarily monolithic. Egyptian obelisks are commonly covered with hieroglyphic writing from top to bottom.

2. (Print.) A mark of reference; -- called also dagger [&dagger;]. See Dagger, n., 2.

Ob"e*lisk, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obelisked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obelisking.] To mark or designate with an obelisk.

Ob"e*lize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obelized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obelizing (?).] [Gr. &?;, fr. 'obelo`s. See Obelus.] To designate with an obelus; to mark as doubtful or spirituous. [R.]

||Ob"e*lus (?), n.; pl. Obeli (#). [L., fr. Gr. 'obelo`s, prop., a ||spit.] (Print.) A mark [thus —, or ÷]; -- so called as resembling a ||needle. In old MSS. or editions of the classics, it marks suspected ||passages or readings.

Ob*eq"ui*tate (?), v. i. [L. obequitatus, p. p. of obequitare to ride about.] To ride about. [Obs.] -- Ob*eq`ui*ta"tion (#), n. [Obs.] Cockerman.

Ob"er*on (b"r*n), n. [F., fr. OF. Auberon; prob. of Frankish origin.] (Mediæval Mythol.) The king of the fairies, and husband of Titania or Queen Mab. Shak.

Ob`er*ra"tion (?), n. [L. oberrate to wander about.] A wandering about. [Obs.] Jonhson.

O*bese" (?). a. [L. obesus eaten away, lean; also, that has eaten itself fat, fat, stout, p. p. of obedere to devour; ob (see Ob-) + edere to eat. See Eat.] Excessively corpulent; fat; fleshy.

O*bese"ness, n. Quality of being obese; obesity.

O*bes"i*ty (?), n.[L. obesitas: cf.F. obésité.] The state or quality of being obese; incumbrance of flesh.

O*bey" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obeyed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obeying.] [OE. obeyen, F. obéir, fr. L. obedire, oboedire; ob (see Ob-) + audire to hear. See Audible, and cf. Obeisance.] 1. To give ear to; to execute the commands of; to yield submission to; to comply with the orders of.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord.

Eph. vi. 1.

Was she the God, that her thou didst obey?

Milton.

2. To submit to the authority of; to be ruled by.

My will obeyed his will.

Chaucer.

Afric and India shall his power obey.

Dryden.

3. To yield to the impulse, power, or operation of; as, a ship obeys her helm.

O*bey", v. i. To give obedience.

Will he obey when one commands?

Tennyson.

By some old writers obey was used, as in the French idiom, with the preposition to.

His servants ye are, to whom ye obey.

Rom. vi. 16.

He commanded the trumpets to sound: to which the two brave knights
obeying, they performed their courses.

Sir. P. Sidney.

O*bey"er (?), n. One who yields obedience. Holland.

O*bey"ing*ly, adv. Obediently; submissively.

{ Ob*firm" (?), Ob*firm"ate (?), } v. t. [L. obfirmatus, p. p. of obfirmare to make steadfast. See Ob-, and Firm, v. t.] To make firm; to harden in resolution. [Obs.] Bp. Hall. Sheldon.

Ob"fir*ma"tion (?), n. [LL. obfirmatio.] Hardness of heart; obduracy. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

Ob*fus"cate (?), a. [L. obfuscatus, p. p. of obfuscare to darken; ob (see Ob-) + fuscare, fuscatum, to darken, from fuscus dark.] Obfuscated; darkened; obscured. [Obs.] [Written also offuscate.] Sir. T. Elyot.

Ob*fus"cate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obfuscated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obfuscating.] To darken; to obscure; to becloud; hence, to confuse; to bewilder.

His head, like a smokejack, the funnel unswept, and the ideas
whirling round and round about in it, all obfuscated and darkened
over with fuliginous matter.

Sterne.

Clouds of passion which might obfuscate the intellects of meaner
females.

Sir. W. Scott.

<! p. 990 !>

Ob`fus*ca"tion (?), n. [L. obfuscatio.] The act of darkening or bewildering; the state of being darkened. "Obfuscation of the cornea." E. Darwin.

O"bi (?), n. [Prob. of African origin.] 1. A species of sorcery, probably of African origin, practiced among the negroes of the West Indies. [Written also obe and obeah.] De Quincey. B. Edwards.

2. A charm or fetich. [West Indies] B. Edwards.

Ob*im"bri*cate (?), a. [Pref. ob- + imbricate.] (Bot.) Imbricated, with the overlapping ends directed downward.

O"bit (?), n. [OF. obit, L. obitus, fr. obire to go against, to go to meet, (sc. mortem) to die; ob (see Ob-) + ire to go. See Issue.] 1. Death; decease; the date of one's death. Wood.

2. A funeral solemnity or office; obsequies.

3. A service for the soul of a deceased person on the anniversary of the day of his death.

The emoluments and advantages from oblations, obits, and other
sources, increased in value.

Milman.

Post obit [L. post obitum]. See Post-obit.

||Ob"i*ter (?), adv. [L., on the way; ob (see Ob-) + iter a going, a ||walk, way.] In passing; incidentally; by the way.

||Obiter dictum (Law), an incidental and collateral opinion uttered by ||a judge. See Dictum, n., 2 (a).

O*bit"u*al (?), a. [L. obitus death. See Obit.] Of or pertaining to obits, or days when obits are celebrated; as, obitual days. Smart.

O*bit"u*a*ri*ly (?), adv. In the manner of an obituary.

O*bit"u*a*ry (?), a. [See Obit.] Of or pertaining to the death of a person or persons; as, an obituary notice; obituary poetry.

O*bit"u*a*ry, n.; pl. Obituaries (#). [Cf. F. obituaire. See Obit.] 1. That which pertains to, or is called forth by, the obit or death of a person; esp., an account of a deceased person; a notice of the death of a person, accompanied by a biographical sketch.

2. (R.C.Ch.) A list of the dead, or a register of anniversary days when service is performed for the dead.

Ob*ject" (b*jkt"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Objected; p. pr. & vb. n. Objecting.] [L. objectus, p. p. of objicere, obicere, to throw or put before, to oppose; ob (see Ob-) + jacere to throw: cf. objecter. See Jet a shooting forth.] 1. To set before or against; to bring into opposition; to oppose. [Obs.]

Of less account some knight thereto object, Whose loss so great and
harmful can not prove.

Fairfax.

Some strong impediment or other objecting itself.

Hooker.

Pallas to their eyes The mist objected, and condensed the skies.

Pope.

2. To offer in opposition as a criminal charge or by way of accusation or reproach; to adduce as an objection or adverse reason.

He gave to him to object his heinous crime.

Spencer.

Others object the poverty of the nation.

Addison.

The book . . . giveth liberty to object any crime against such as
are to be ordered.

Whitgift.

Ob*ject", v. i. To make opposition in words or argument; -- usually followed by to. Sir. T. More.

Ob"ject (b"jkt), n. [L. objectus. See Object, v. t.]

1. That which is put, or which may be regarded as put, in the way of some of the senses; something visible or tangible; as, he observed an object in the distance; all the objects in sight; he touched a strange object in the dark.

2. That which is set, or which may be regarded as set, before the mind so as to be apprehended or known; that of which the mind by any of its activities takes cognizance, whether a thing external in space or a conception formed by the mind itself; as, an object of knowledge, wonder, fear, thought, study, etc.

Object is a term for that about which the knowing subject is
conversant; what the schoolmen have styled the "materia circa
quam."

Sir. W. Hamilton.

The object of their bitterest hatred.

Macaulay.

3. That by which the mind, or any of its activities, is directed; that on which the purpose are fixed as the end of action or effort; that which is sought for; end; aim; motive; final cause.

Object, beside its proper signification, came to be abusively
applied to denote motive, end, final cause . . . . This innovation
was probably borrowed from the French.

Sir. W. Hamilton.

Let our object be, our country, our whole country, and nothing but
our country.

D. Webster.

4. Sight; show; appearance; aspect. [Obs.] Shak.

He, advancing close Up to the lake, past all the rest, arose In
glorious object.

Chapman.

5. (Gram.) A word, phrase, or clause toward which an action is directed, or is considered to be directed; as, the object of a transitive verb.

Object glass, the lens, or system of lenses, placed at the end of a telescope, microscope, etc., which is toward the object. Its office is to form an image of the object, which is then viewed by the eyepiece. Called also objective. See Illust. of Microscope. -- Object lesson, a lesson in which object teaching is made use of. -- Object staff. (Leveling) Same as Leveling staff. -- Object teaching, a method of instruction, in which illustrative objects are employed, each new word or idea being accompanied by a representation of that which it signifies; -- used especially in the kindergarten, for young children.

Ob*ject" (?), a. [L. objectus, p. p.] Opposed; presented in opposition; also, exposed. [Obs.]

Ob*ject"a*ble (?), a. Such as can be presented in opposition; that may be put forward as an objection. [R.]

Ob*jec"ti*fy (?), v. t. [Object + -fy.] To cause to become an object; to cause to assume the character of an object; to render objective. J. D. Morell.

Ob*jec"tion (?), n. [L. objectio: cf. F. objection.] 1. The act of objecting; as, to prevent agreement, or action, by objection. Johnson.

2. That which is, or may be, presented in opposition; an adverse reason or argument; a reason for objecting; obstacle; impediment; as, I have no objection to going; unreasonable objections. "Objections against every truth." Tyndale.

3. Cause of trouble; sorrow. [Obs. or R.]

He remembers the objection that lies in his bosom, and he sighs
deeply.

Jer. Taylor.

Syn. -- Exception; difficulty; doubt; scruple.

Ob*jec"tion*a*ble (?), a. Liable to objection; likely to be objected to or disapproved of; offensive; as, objectionable words. -- Ob*jec"tion*a*bly, adv.

Ob"ject*ist (?), n. One who adheres to, or is skilled in, the objective philosophy. Ed. Rev.

Ob*jec"ti*vate (?), v. t. To objectify.

Ob*jec`ti*va"tion (?), n. Converting into an object.

Ob*jec"tive (?), a. [Cf.F. objectif.] 1. Of or pertaining to an object.

2. (Metaph.) Of or pertaining to an object; contained in, or having the nature or position of, an object; outward; external; extrinsic; -- an epithet applied to whatever ir exterior to the mind, or which is simply an object of thought or feeling, and opposed to subjective.

In the Middle Ages, subject meant substance, and has this sense in
Descartes and Spinoza: sometimes, also, in Reid. Subjective is used
by William of Occam to denote that which exists independent of
mind; objective, what is formed by the mind. This shows what is
meant by realitas objectiva in Descartes. Kant and Fichte have
inverted the meanings. Subject, with them, is the mind which knows;
object, that which is known; subjective, the varying conditions of
the knowing mind; objective, that which is in the constant nature
of the thing known.

Trendelenburg.

Objective means that which belongs to, or proceeds from, the object
known, and not from the subject knowing, and thus denotes what is
real, in opposition to that which is ideal - - what exists in
nature, in contrast to what exists merely in the thought of the
individual.

Sir. W. Hamilton.

Objective has come to mean that which has independent exostence or
authority, apart from our experience or thought. Thus, moral law is
said to have objective authority, that is, authority belonging to
itself, and not drawn from anything in our nature.

Calderwood (Fleming's Vocabulary).

3. (Gram.) Pertaining to, or designating, the case which follows a transitive verb or a preposition, being that case in which the direct object of the verb is placed. See Accusative, n.

The objective case is frequently used without a governing word, esp. in designations of time or space, where a preposition, as at, in, on, etc., may be supplied.

My troublous dream [on] this night make me sad.

Shak.

To write of victories [in or for] next year.

Hudibras.

Objective line (Perspective), a line drawn on the geometrical plane which is represented or sought to be represented. -- Objective plane (Perspective), any plane in the horizontal plane that is represented. -- Objective point, the point or result to which the operations of an army are directed. By extension, the point or purpose to which anything, as a journey or an argument, is directed.

Syn. -- Objective, Subjective. Objective is applied to things exterior to the mind, and objects of its attention; subjective, to the operations of the mind itself. Hence, an objective motive is some outward thing awakening desire; a subjective motive is some internal feeling or propensity. Objective views are those governed by outward things; subjective views are produced or modified by internal feeling. Sir Walter Scott's poetry is chiefly objective; that of Wordsworth is eminently subjective.

In the philosophy of mind, subjective denotes what is to be
referred to the thinking subject, the ego; objective what belongs
to the object of thought, the non- ego.

Sir. W. Hamilton

Ob*jec"tive, n. 1. (Gram.) The objective case.

2. An object glass. See under Object, n.

3. Same as Objective point, under Objective, a.

Ob*jec"tive*ly, adv. In the manner or state of an object; as, a determinate idea objectively in the mind.

Ob*jec"tive*ness, n. Objectivity.

Is there such a motion or objectiveness of external bodies, which
produceth light?

Sir M. Hale

Ob`jec*tiv"i*ty (?), n. [Cf.F. objectivité.] The state, quality, or relation of being objective; character of the object or of the objective.

The calm, the cheerfulness, the disinterested objectivity have
disappeared [in the life of the Greeks].

M. Arnold.

Ob"ject*ize (?), v. t. To make an object of; to regard as an object; to place in the position of an object.

In the latter, as objectized by the former, arise the emotions and
affections.

Coleridge.

Ob"ject*less, a. Having no object; purposeless.

Ob*ject"or (?), n. [L., an accuser.] One who objects; one who offers objections to a proposition or measure.

Ob*jib"ways (?), n. pl. See Chippeways.

Ob*jic"i*ent (?), n. [L. objiciens, p. pr. of objicere to object.] One who makes objection; an objector. [R.] Cardinal Wiseman.

Ob`ju*ra"tion (?), n. [L. objurare to bind by oath; ob (see Ob-) + jurare to swear, fr. jus right.] A binding by oath. [R.] Abp. Bramhall.

Ob*jur"gate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Objurgated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Objurgating.] [L. objurgatus, p. p. of objurgare to chide; ob (see Ob-) + jurgare to quarrel, scold, fr. jus right, court. See Jury.] To chide; to reprove.

Ob`jur*ga"tion (?), n. [L. objurgatio: cf.F. objurgation.] The act of objurgating; reproof.

While the good lady was bestowing this objurgation on Mr. Ben
Allen.

Dickens.

With a strong objurgation of the elbow in his ribs.

Landor.

Ob*jur"ga*to*ry (?), a. [L. objurgatorius.] Designed to objurgate or chide; containing or expressing reproof; culpatory. Bancroft.

The objurgatory question of the Pharisees.

Paley.

Ob*lan"ce*o*late (?), a. [Pref. ob- + lanceolate.] Lanceolate in the reversed order, that is, narrowing toward the point of attachment more than toward the apex.

Ob*late" (?), a. [L. oblatus, used as p. p. of offerre to bring forward, offer, dedicate; ob (see Ob-) + latus borne, for tlatus. See Tolerate.]

1. (Geom.) Flattened or depressed at the poles; as, the earth is an oblate spheroid.

2. Offered up; devoted; consecrated; dedicated; -- used chiefly or only in the titles of Roman Catholic orders. See Oblate, n.

Oblate ellipsoid or spheroid (Geom.), a solid generated by the revolution of an ellipse about its minor axis; an oblatum. See Ellipsoid of revolution, under Ellipsoid.

Ob*late", n. [From Oblate, a.] (R. C. Ch.) (a) One of an association of priests or religious women who have offered themselves to the service of the church. There are three such associations of priests, and one of women, called oblates. (b) One of the Oblati.

Ob*late"ness, n. The quality or state of being oblate.

||Ob*la"ti (?), n. pl. [LL., fr. L. oblatus. See Oblate.] (R.C.Ch.) (a) ||Children dedicated in their early years to the monastic state. (b) A ||class of persons, especially in the Middle Ages, who offered ||themselves and their property to a monastery. Addis & Arnold.

Ob*la"tion (?), n. [L. oblatio: cf. F. oblation. See Oblate.] 1. The act of offering, or of making an offering. Locke.

2. Anything offered or presented in worship or sacred service; an offering; a sacrifice.

A peculiar . . . oblation given to God.

Jer. Taylor.

A pin was the usual oblation.

Sir. W. Scott.

3. A gift or contribution made to a church, as for the expenses of the eucharist, or for the support of the clergy and the poor.

Ob*la"tion*er (?), n. One who makes an offering as an act worship or reverence. Dr. H. More.

Ob*la"trate (?), v. i. [L. oblatratus, p. p. of oblatrare to bark against.] To bark or snarl, as a dog. [Obs.]

Ob`la*tra"tion (?), n. The act of oblatrating; a barking or snarling. Bp. Hall.

||Ob*la"tum (?), n.; pl. Oblata (#). [NL. See Oblate.] (Geom.) An ||oblate spheroid; a figure described by the revolution of an ellipse ||about its minor axis. Cf. Oblongum.

Ob*lec"tate (?), v. t. [L. oblectatus, p. p. of oblectare.] To delight; to please greatly. [Obs.]

Ob"lec*ta"tion (?), n. [L. oblectatio.] The act of pleasing highly; the state of being greatly pleased; delight. [R.] Feltham.

Ob"li*ga*ble (?), a. Acknowledging, or complying with, obligation; trustworthy. [R.]

The main difference between people seems to be, that one man can
come under obligations on which you can rely, -- is obligable; and
another is not.

Emerson.

Ob"li*gate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obligated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obligating.] [L. obligatus, p. p. of obligare. See Oblige.] 1. To bring or place under obligation, moral or legal; to hold by a constraining motive. "Obligated by a sense of duty." Proudfit.

That's your true plan -- to obligate The present ministers of
state.

Churchill.

2. To bind or firmly hold to an act; to compel; to constrain; to bind to any act of duty or courtesy by a formal pledge.

That they may not incline or be obligated to any vile or lowly
occupations.

Landor.

Ob"li*ga"tion (?), n. [F. obligation. L. obligatio. See Oblige.] 1. The act of obligating.

2. That which obligates or constrains; the binding power of a promise, contract, oath, or vow, or of law; that which constitutes legal or moral duty.

A tender conscience is a stronger obligation than a proson.

Fuller.

3. Any act by which a person becomes bound to do something to or for anouther, or to forbear something; external duties imposed by law, promise, or contract, by the relations of society, or by courtesy, kindness, etc.

Every man has obligations which belong to his station. Duties
extend beyond obligation, and direct the affections, desires, and
intentions, as well as the actions.

Whewell.

4. The state of being obligated or bound; the state of being indebted for an act of favor or kindness; as, to place others under obligations to one.

5. (Law) A bond with a condition annexed, and a penalty for nonfulfillment. In a larger sense, it is an acknowledgment of a duty to pay a certain sum or do a certain things.

Days of obligation. See under Day.

||Ob"li*ga"to (?), a. [It.] See Obbligato.

Ob"li*ga*to*ri*ly (?), adv. In an obligatory manner; by reason of obligation. Foxe.

Ob"li*ga*to*ri*ness, n. The quality or state of being obligatory.

Ob"li*ga*to*ry (?), a. [L. obligatorius: cf.F. obligatoire.] Binding in law or conscience; imposing duty or obligation; requiring performance or forbearance of some act; -- often followed by on or upon; as, obedience is obligatory on a soldier.

As long as the law is obligatory, so long our obedience is due.

Jer. Taylor.

O*blige" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obliged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obliging (?).] [OF. obligier, F. obliger, L. obligare; ob (see Ob-) + ligare to bind. See Ligament, and cf. Obligate.] 1. To attach, as by a bond. [Obs.]

He had obliged all the senators and magistrates firmly to himself.

Bacon.

2. To constrain by physical, moral, or legal force; to put under obligation to do or forbear something.

The obliging power of the law is neither founded in, nor to be
measured by, the rewards and punishments annexed to it.

South.

Religion obliges men to the practice of those virtues which conduce
to the preservation of our health.

Tillotson.

3. To bind by some favor rendered; to place under a debt; hence, to do a favor to; to please; to gratify; to accommodate.

Thus man, by his own strength, to heaven would soar, And would not
be obliged to God for more.

Dryden.

The gates before it are brass, and the whole much obliged to Pope
Urban VIII.

Evelyn.

I shall be more obliged to you than I can express.

Mrs. E. Montagu.

<! p. 991 !>

Ob"li*gee" (?), n. [F. obligé, p. p. of obliger. See Oblige.] The person to whom another is bound, or the person to whom a bond is given. Blackstone.

O*blige"ment (?), n. Obligation. [R.]

I will not resist, therefore, whatever it is, either of divine or
human obligement, that you lay upon me.

Milton.

O*bli"ger (?), n. One who, or that which, obliges. Sir H. Wotton.

O*bli"ging, a. Putting under obligation; disposed to oblige or do favors; hence, helpful; civil; kind.

Mons.Strozzi has many curiosities, and is very obliging to a
stranger who desires the sight of them.

Addison.

Syn. -- Civil; complaisant; courteous; kind, -- Obliging, Kind, Complaisant. One is kind who desires to see others happy; one is complaisant who endeavors to make them so in social intercourse by attentions calculated to please; one who is obliging performs some actual service, or has the disposition to do so.

-- O*bli"ging*ly. adv. -- O*bli"ging*ness, n.

Ob`li*gor" (?), n. The person who binds himself, or gives his bond to another. Blackstone.

Ob`li*qua"tion (?), n. [L. obliquatio, fr. obliquare to turn obliquely. See Oblique.] 1. The act of becoming oblique; a turning to one side; obliquity; as, the obliquation of the eyes. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

2. Deviation from moral rectitude. [R.]

Ob*lique" (?), a. [F., fr. L. obliquus; ob (see Ob-) + liquis oblique; cf. licinus bent upward, Gr &?; slanting.] [Written also oblike.]

1. Not erect or perpendicular; neither parallel to, nor at right angles from, the base; slanting; inclined.

It has a direction oblique to that of the former motion.

Cheyne.

2. Not straightforward; indirect; obscure; hence, disingenuous; underhand; perverse; sinister.

The love we bear our friends . . . Hath in it certain oblique ends.

Drayton.

This mode of oblique research, when a more direct one is denied, we
find to be the only one in our power.

De Quincey.

Then would be closed the restless, oblique eye. That looks for
evil, like a treacherous spy.

Wordworth.

3. Not direct in descent; not following the line of father and son; collateral.

His natural affection in a direct line was strong, in an oblique
but weak.

Baker.

Oblique angle, Oblique ascension, etc. See under Angle,Ascension, etc. -- Oblique arch (Arch.), an arch whose jambs are not at right angles with the face, and whose intrados is in consequence askew. -- Oblique bridge, a skew bridge. See under Bridge, n. -- Oblique case (Gram.), any case except the nominative. See Case, n. -- Oblique circle (Projection), a circle whose plane is oblique to the axis of the primitive plane. -- Oblique fire (Mil.), a fire the direction of which is not perpendicular to the line fired at. -- Oblique flank (Fort.), that part of the curtain whence the fire of the opposite bastion may be discovered. Wilhelm. -- Oblique leaf. (Bot.) (a) A leaf twisted or inclined from the normal position. (b) A leaf having one half different from the other. -- Oblique line (Geom.), a line that, meeting or tending to meet another, makes oblique angles with it. -- Oblique motion (Mus.), a kind of motion or progression in which one part ascends or descends, while the other prolongs or repeats the same tone, as in the accompanying example. -- Oblique muscle (Anat.), a muscle acting in a direction oblique to the mesial plane of the body, or to the associated muscles; -- applied especially to two muscles of the eyeball. -- Oblique narration. See Oblique speech. -- Oblique planes (Dialing), planes which decline from the zenith, or incline toward the horizon. -- Oblique sailing (Naut.), the movement of a ship when she sails upon some rhumb between the four cardinal points, making an oblique angle with the meridian. -- Oblique speech (Rhet.), speech which is quoted indirectly, or in a different person from that employed by the original speaker. -- Oblique sphere (Astron. & Geog.), the celestial or terrestrial sphere when its axis is oblique to the horizon of the place; or as it appears to an observer at any point on the earth except the poles and the equator. -- Oblique step (Mil.), a step in marching, by which the soldier, while advancing, gradually takes ground to the right or left at an angle of about 25°. It is not now practiced. Wilhelm. -- Oblique system of coördinates (Anal. Geom.), a system in which the coördinate axes are oblique to each other.

Ob*lique", n. (Geom.) An oblique line.

Ob*lique", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Obliqued (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obliquing.] 1. To deviate from a perpendicular line; to move in an oblique direction.

Projecting his person towards it in a line which obliqued from the
bottom of his spine.

Sir. W. Scott.

2. (Mil.) To march in a direction oblique to the line of the column or platoon; -- formerly accomplished by oblique steps, now by direct steps, the men half- facing either to the right or left.

Ob*lique"-an`gled (?), a. Having oblique angles; as, an oblique-angled triangle.

Ob*lique"ly, adv. In an oblique manner; not directly; indirectly. "Truth obliquely leveled." Bp. Fell.

Declining from the noon of day, The sun obliquely shoots his
burning ray.

Pope

His discourse tends obliquely to the detracting from others.

Addison.

Ob*lique"ness, n. Quality or state of being oblique.

Ob*liq"ui*ty, n.; pl. Obliquities (#). [L. obliquitas: cf. F. obliquité.] 1. The condition of being oblique; deviation from a right line; deviation from parallelism or perpendicularity; the amount of such deviation; divergence; as, the obliquity of the ecliptic to the equator.

2. Deviation from ordinary rules; irregularity; deviation from moral rectitude.

To disobey [God] . . . imports a moral obliquity.

South.

Ob"lite (?), a. [L. oblitus, p. p. pf oblinere to besmear.] Indistinct; slurred over. [Obs.] "Obscure and oblite mention." Fuller.

Ob*lit"er*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obliterated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obliterating.] [L. obliteratus, p. p. of obliterare to obliterate; ob (see Ob-) + litera, littera, letter. See Letter.] 1. To erase or blot out; to efface; to render undecipherable, as a writing.

2. To wear out; to remove or destroy utterly by any means; to render imperceptible; as. to obliterate ideas; to obliterate the monuments of antiquity.

The harsh and bitter feelings of this or that experience are slowly
obliterated.

W. Black.

Ob*lit"er*ate (?), a. (Zoöl.) Scarcely distinct; -- applied to the markings of insects.

Ob*lit`er*a"tion (?), n. [L. obliteratio: cf.F. oblitération.] The act of obliterating, or the state of being obliterated; extinction. Sir. M. Hale.

Ob*lit"er*a*tive (?), a. Tending or serving to obliterate.

Ob*liv"i*on (?), n. [L. oblivio, akin to oblivisci to forget: cf. OF. oblivion.] 1. The act of forgetting, or the state of being forgotten; cessation of remembrance; forgetfulness.

Second childishness and mere oblivion.

Shak.

Among our crimes oblivion may be set.

Dryden

The origin of our city will be buried in eternal oblivion.

W. Irving.

2. Official ignoring of offenses; amnesty, or general pardon; as, an act of oblivion. Sir J. Davies.

Syn. -- See Forgetfulness.

Ob*liv"i*ous (?), a. [L. obliviosus: cf.F. oblivieux.]

1. Promoting oblivion; causing forgetfulness. "The oblivious pool." Milton.

She lay in deep, oblivious slumber.

Longfellow.

2. Evincing oblivion; forgetful.

Through are both weak in body and oblivious.

Latimer.

-- Obliv"i*ous*ly, adv. -- Ob*liv"i*ous*ness, n. Foxe.

Ob*loc"u*tor (?), n. [L. oblocutor, obloquutor, fr. obloqui, oblocutus, to speak against; ob (see Ob-) + loqui to speak. See Loquacious.] A disputer; a gainsayer. [Obs.] Bale.

Ob"long (?), a. [L. oblongus; ob (see Ob-) + longus long: cf. F. oblong.] Having greater length than breadth, esp. when rectangular.

Ob"long, n. A rectangular figure longer than it is broad; hence, any figure longer than it is broad.

The best figure of a garden I esteem an oblong upon a descent.

Sir W. Temple.

||Ob`lon*ga"ta (?), n. [NL.] (Anat.) The medulla oblongata. B. G. ||Wilder.

Ob"lon*ga"tal (?), a. Of or pertaining to the medulla oblongata; medullar.

Ob"long*ish (?), a. Somewhat oblong.

Ob"long*ly, adv. In an oblong form.

Ob"long*ness, n. State or quality of being oblong.

Ob"long-o"vate (?), a. Between oblong and ovate, but inclined to the latter.

||Ob*lon"gum (?), n.; pl. Oblonga (#). [NL. See Oblong.] (Geom.) A ||prolate spheroid; a figure described by the revolution of an ellipse ||about its greater axis. Cf. Oblatum, and see Ellipsoid of revolution, ||under Ellipsoid.

Ob*lo"qui*ous (?), a. Containing obloquy; reproachful [R.] Naunton.

Ob"lo*quy (b"l*kw), n. [L. obloquium, fr. obloqui. See Oblocutor.] 1. Censorious speech; defamatory language; language that casts contempt on men or their actions; blame; reprehension.

Shall names that made your city the glory of the earth be mentioned
with obloquy and detraction?

Addison.

2. Cause of reproach; disgrace. [Obs.] Shak.

Syn. -- Reproach; odium; censure; contumely; gainsaying; reviling; calumny; slander; detraction.

Ob`luc*ta"tion (?), n. [L. oblictutio, fr. obluctari to struggle against.] A struggle against; resistance; opposition. [Obs.] Fotherby.

Ob`mu*tes"cence (b`m*ts"sens), n. [L. obmutescens, p. pr of obmutescere to become dumb; ob (see Ob-) + mutescere to grow dumb, fr. mutus dumb.] 1. A becoming dumb; loss of speech. Sir T. Browne.

2. A keeping silent or mute. Paley.

Ob*nox"ious (b*nk"shs), a. [L. obnoxius; ob (see Ob-) + noxius hurtful. See Noxious.] 1. Subject; liable; exposed; answerable; amenable; -- with to.

The writings of lawyers, which are tied obnoxious to their
particular laws.

Bacon.

Esteeming it more honorable to live on the public than to be
obnoxious to any private purse.

Milton.

Obnoxious, first or last, To basest things

Milton.

2. Liable to censure; exposed to punishment; reprehensible; blameworthy. "The contrived and interested schemes of . . . obnoxious authors." Bp. Fell.

All are obnoxious, and this faulty land, Like fainting Hester, does
before you stand Watching your scepter.

Waller.

3. Offensive; odious; hateful; as, an obnoxious statesman; a minister obnoxious to the Whigs. Burke.

-- Ob*nox"ious*ly, adv. -- Ob*nox"ious*ness, n. South.

Ob*nu"bi*late (?), v. t. [L. obnubilatus, p. p. of obnubilare to obscure. See Ob- , and Nubilate.] To cloud; to obscure. [Obs.] Burton. -- Ob*nu"bi*la"tion (#), n. [Obs.] Beddoes.

O"boe (?), n. [It., fr. F. hautbois. See Hautboy.] (Mus.) One of the higher wind instruments in the modern orchestra, yet of great antiquity, having a penetrating pastoral quality of tone, somewhat like the clarinet in form, but more slender, and sounded by means of a double reed; a hautboy.

||Oboe d'amore [It., lit., oboe of love], and ||Oboe di caccia [It., ||lit., oboe of the chase], are names of obsolete modifications of the ||oboe, often found in the scores of Bach and Handel.

O"bo*ist (?), n. A performer on the oboe.

Ob"o*la*ry (?), a. [See Obolus.] Possessing only small coins; impoverished. [R.] Lamb.

Ob"ole (?), n. [Cf.F. obole. See Obolus.] (Old Pharm.) A weight of twelve grains; or, according to some, of ten grains, or half a scruple. [Written also obol.]

Ob"o*lize (?), v. t. See Obelize.

Ob"o*lo (?), n. [Cf. Obolus.] A copper coin, used in the Ionian Islands, about one cent in value.

||Ob"o*lus (?), n.;pl. Oboli (#). [L., fr Gr. (&?;)] (Gr.Antiq.) (a) A ||small silver coin of Athens, the sixth part of a drachma, about three ||cents in value. (b) An ancient weight, the sixth part of a drachm.

Ob`o*me"goid (?), a. [Pref. ob- + omegoid.] (Zoöl.) Obversely omegoid.

Ob*o"val (?), a. [Pref. ob- + oval.] Obovate.

Ob*o"vate (?). a. [Pref. ob- + ovate.] (Bot.) Inversely ovate; ovate with the narrow end downward; as, an obovate leaf.

Ob*rep"tion (?), n. [L. obreptio, fr. obrepere, obreptum, to creep up to; ob (see Ob-) + repere to creep.] 1. The act of creeping upon with secrecy or by surprise. [Obs.] Cudworth.