Chapter L: F. Ward (31)

2. (Scots Law) The obtaining gifts of escheat by fraud or surprise. Bell.

Ob`rep*ti"tious (?), a. [L. obreptitus. See Obreption.] Done or obtained by surprise; with secrecy, or by concealment of the truth. [R.] Cotgrave.

Ob"ro*gate (?), v. t. [L. obrogatus, p. p. of obrogare to obrogate.] To annul indirectly by enacting a new and contrary law, instead of by expressly abrogating or repealing the old one. [Obs.] Bailey.

||Ob"rok (?), n. [Russ. obrok'.] (a) A rent. (b) A poll tax paid by ||peasants absent from their lord's estate. [Russia] Brande & C.

Ob*scene" (?), a. [L. obscenus, obscaenus, obscoenus, ill looking, filthy, obscene: cf. F. obscéne.]

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.

Words that were once chaste, by frequent use grew obscene and
uncleanly.

I. Watts.

2. Foul; fifthy; disgusting.

A girdle foul with grease b&?;&?;ds his obscene attire.

Dryden.

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

At the cheerful light, The groaning ghosts and birds obscene take
flight.

Dryden.

Syn. -- Impure; immodest; indecent; unchaste; lewd.

-- Ob*scene"ly, adv. -- Ob*scene"ness, n.

Ob*scen"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Obscenities (#). [L. obscentias: cf.F. obscénité.] That quality in words or things which presents what is offensive to chasity or purity of mind; obscene or impure lanquage or acts; moral impurity; lewdness; obsceneness; as, the obscenity of a speech, or a picture.

Mr.Cowley asserts plainly, that obscenity has no place in wit.

Dryden.

No pardon vile obscenity should find.

Pope.

Ob*scur"ant (?), 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.

Ob*scur"ant*ism (?), n. The system or the principles of the obscurants. C. Kingsley.

Ob*scur"ant*ist, n. Same as Obscurant. Ed. Rev.

Ob`scu*ra"tion (?), 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.

Ob*scure" (?), 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.]

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

His lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

Prov. xx. 20.

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

The obscure bird Clamored the livelong night.

Shak.

The obscure corners of the earth.

Sir J. Davies.

3. Not noticeable; humble; mean. "O base and obscure vulgar." Shak. "An obscure person." Atterbury.

4. Not easily understood; not clear or legible; abstruse or blind; as, an obscure passage or inscription.

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

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

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

Ob*scure", 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.

They are all couched in a pit hard by Herne's oak, with obscured
lights.

Shak.

Why, 't is an office of discovery, love, And I should be obscured.

Shak.

There is scarce any duty which has been so obscured by the writings
of learned men as this.

Wake.

And seest not sin obscures thy godlike frame?

Dryden.

<! p. 992 !>

Ob*scure" (?), v. i. To conceal one's self; to hide; to keep dark. [Obs.]

How! There's bad news. I must obscure, and hear it.

Beau. & Fl.

Ob*scure", n. Obscurity. [Obs.] Milton.

Ob*scure"ly, adv. In an obscure manner. Milton.

Ob*scure"ment (?), n. The act of obscuring, or the state of being obscured; obscuration. Pomfret.

Ob*scure"ness, n. Obscurity. Bp. Hall.

Ob*scur"er (?), n. One who, or that which, obscures.

Ob*scu"ri*ty (?), n. [L. obscuritas: cf. F. obscurité.] The quality or state of being obscure; darkness; privacy; inconspicuousness; unintelligibleness; uncertainty.

Yuo are not for obscurity designed.

Dryden.

They were now brought forth from obscurity, to be contemplated by
artists with admiration and despair.

Macaulay.

Syn. -- Darkness; dimness; gloom. See Darkness.

Ob"se*crate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obsecrated (?); p. pr. & vb, n. Obsecrating.] [L. obsecratus, p. p. of obsecrare, prop., to ask on religious grounds; ob (see Ob-) + sacrare to declare as sacred, from sacer sacred.] To beseech; to supplicate; to implore. [R.]. Cockerman.

Ob"se*cra"tion (?), 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.

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

Ob"se*cra*to*ry (?), a. Expressing, or used in, entreaty; supplicatory. [R.] Bp. Hall.

Ob"se*quent (?), a. [L. obsequens, p. pr. of obsequi; ob (see Ob- ) + sequi. See Sequence.] Obedient; submissive; obsequious. [Obs.] Fotherby.

Ob*se"qui*ence (?), n. Obsequiousness. [R.]

Ob"se*quies (?), n. pl. See Obsequy.

Ob*se"qui*ous (?), 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.]

His servants weeping, Obsequious to his orders, bear him hither.

Addison.

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

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.

3. [See Obsequy.] Of or pertaining to obsequies; funereal. [R.] "To do obsequious sorrow." Shak.

Syn. -- Compliant; obedient; servile. See Yielding.

Ob*se"qui*ous*ly, adv. 1. In an obsequious manner; compliantly; fawningly. Dryden.

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

Whilst I a while obsequiously lament The untimely fall of virtuous
Lancaster.

Shak.

Ob*se"qui*ous*ness, n. The quality or state of being obsequious. South.

Ob"se*quy (?), n.; pl. Obsequies (#). [L. obsequiae, pl., funeral rites, fr. obsequi: cf.F. obsèques. See Obsequent, and cf. Obsequious.] 1. The last duty or service to a person, rendered after his death; hence, a rite or ceremony pertaining to burial; -- now used only in the plural. Spencer.

I will . . . fetch him hence, and solemnly attend, With silent
obsequy and funeral train.

Milton

I will myself Be the chief mourner at his obsequies.

Dryden.

The funeral obsequies were decently and privately performed by his
family

J. P. Mahaffy.

2. Obsequiousness. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

Ob*serv"a*ble (?), a. [L. observabilis: cf.F. observable.] Worthy or capable of being observed; discernible; noticeable; remarkable. Sir. T. Browne.

The difference is sufficiently observable.

Southey.

-- Ob*serv"a*ble*ness, n. -- Ob*serv"a*bly, adv.

Ob*serv"ance (?), n. [F. observance, L. observantia. See Observant.] 1. The act or practice of observing or noticing with attention; a heeding or keeping with care; performance; -- usually with a sense of strictness and fidelity; as, the observance of the Sabbath is general; the strict observance of duties.

It is a custom More honored in the breach than the observance.

Shak.

2. An act, ceremony, or rite, as of worship or respect; especially, a customary act or service of attention; a form; a practice; a rite; a custom.

At dances These young folk kept their observances.

Chaucer.

Use all the observance of civility.

Shak.

Some represent to themselves the whole of religion as consisting in
a few easy observances.

Rogers.

O I that wasted time to tend upon her, To compass her with sweet
observances!

Tennyson.

3. Servile attention; sycophancy. [Obs.]

Salads and flesh, such as their haste could get, Served with
observance.

Chapman.

This is not atheism, But court observance.

Beau. & Fl.

Syn. -- Observance, Observation. These words are discriminated by the two distinct senses of observe. To observe means (1) to keep strictly; as, to observe a fast day, and hence, observance denotes the keeping or heeding with strictness; (2) to consider attentively, or to remark; and hence, observation denotes either the act of observing, or some remark made as the result thereof. We do not say the observation of Sunday, though the word was formerly so used. The Pharisees were curious in external observances; the astronomers are curious in celestial observations.

Love rigid honesty, And strict observance of impartial laws.

Roscommon.

Ob*serv"an*cy (?), n. Observance. [Obs.]

||Ob*ser`van"dum (?), n.; pl. Observanda (#). [L.] A thing to be ||observed. Swift.

Ob*serv"ant (?), a. [L. observans, -anits, p. pr. of observare: cf. F. observant. See Observe.]

1. Taking notice; viewing or noticing attentively; watchful; attentive; as, an observant spectator; observant habits.

Wandering from clime to clime observant stray'd.

Pope.

2. Submissively attentive; obediently watchful; regardful; mindful; obedient (to); -- with of, as, to be observant of rules.

We are told how observant Alexander was of his master Aristotle.

Sir K. Digby.

Ob*serv"ant, n. 1. One who observes forms and rules. [Obs.] Hooker.

2. A sycophantic servant. [Obs.]

Silly ducking observants, That stretch their duties nicely.

Shak.

3. (R.C.Ch.) An Observantine.

Ob`ser*van"tine (?), n. [Fr. observantin.] (R.C.Ch.) One of a branch of the Order of Franciscans, who profess to adhere more strictly than the Conventuals to the intention of the founder, especially as to poverty; -- called also Observants.

Ob*serv"ant*ly, adv. In an observant manner.

Ob`ser*va"tion (?), n. [L. observatio: cf.F. observation.] 1. The act or the faculty of observing or taking notice; the act of seeing, or of fixing the mind upon, anything.

My observation, which very seldom lies.

Shak.

2. The result of an act, or of acts, of observing; view; reflection; conclusion; judgment.

In matters of human prudence, we shall find the greatest advantage
in making wise observations on our conduct.

I. Watts.

3. Hence: An expression of an opinion or judgment upon what one has observed; a remark. "That's a foolish observation." Shak.

To observations which ourselves we make We grow more partial for
the observer's sake.

Pope.

4. Performance of what is prescribed; adherence in practice; observance. [Obs.]

We are to procure dispensation or leave to omit the observation of
it in such circumstances.

Jer. Taylor.

5. (Science) (a) The act of recognizing and noting some fact or occurrence in nature, as an aurora, a corona, or the structure of an animal. (b) Specifically, the act of measuring, with suitable instruments, some magnitude, as the time of an occultation, with a clock; the right ascension of a star, with a transit instrument and clock; the sun's altitude, or the distance of the moon from a star, with a sextant; the temperature, with a thermometer, etc. (c) The information so acquired.

When a phenomenon is scrutinized as it occurs in nature, the act is termed an observation. When the conditions under which the phenomenon occurs are artificial, or arranged beforehand by the observer, the process is called an experiment. Experiment includes observation.

To take an observation (Naut.), to ascertain the altitude of a heavenly body, with a view to fixing a vessel's position at sea.

Syn. -- Observance; notice; attention; remark; comment; note. See Observance.

Ob`ser*va"tion*al (?), a. Of a pertaining to observation; consisting of, or containing, observations. Chalmers.

Ob*serv"a*tive (?), a. Observing; watchful.

Ob"ser*va`tor (?), n. [L.] 1. One who observes or takes notice. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.

2. One who makes a remark. [Obs.] Dryden.

Ob*serv"a*to*ry (?), n.; pl. Observatories (#). [Cf. F. observatoire.] 1. A place or building for making observations on the heavenly bodies.

The new observatory in Greenwich Park.

Evelyn.

2. A building fitted with instruments for making systematic observations of any particular class or series of natural phenomena.

3. A place, as an elevated chamber, from which a view may be observed or commanded.

4. (Mil.) A lookout on a flank of a battery whence an officer can note the range and effect of the fire. Farrow.

Ob*serve" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Observed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Observing.] [L. observare, observatum; ob (see Ob-) + servare to save, preserve, keep, heed, observe: cf.F. observer. See Serve.] 1. To take notice of by appropriate conduct; to conform one's action or practice to; to keep; to heed; to obey; to comply with; as, to observe rules or commands; to observe civility.

Ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread.

Ex. xii. 17.

He wolde no such cursedness observe.

Chaucer.

Must I budge? Must I observe you?

Shak.

With solemn purpose to observe Immutably his sovereign will.

Milton.

2. To be on the watch respecting; to pay attention to; to notice with care; to see; to perceive; to discover; as, to observe an eclipse; to observe the color or fashion of a dress; to observe the movements of an army.

3. To express as what has been noticed; to utter as a remark; to say in a casual or incidental way; to remark.

Ob*serve", v. i. 1. To take notice; to give attention to what one sees or hears; to attend.

2. To make a remark; to comment; -- generally with on or upon.

I have barely quoted . . . without observing upon it.

Pope.

Syn. -- To remark. See Remark.

Ob*serv"er (?), n. 1. One who observes, or pays attention to, anything; especially, one engaged in, or trained to habits of, close and exact observation; as, an astronomical observer.

The observed of all observers.

Shak.

Careful observers may foretell the hour, By sure prognostic, when
to dread a shower.

Swift.

2. One who keeps any law, custom, regulation, rite, etc.; one who conforms to anything in practice. "Diligent observers of old customs." Spenser.

These . . . hearkend unto observers of times.

Deut. xviii. 14.

3. One who fulfills or performs; as, an observer of his promises.

4. A sycophantic follower. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

Ob*serv"er*ship (?), n. The office or work of an observer.

Ob*serv"ing, a. Giving particular attention; habitually attentive to what passes; as, an observing person; an observing mind. -- Ob*serv"ing*ly, adv.

Ob*sess" (?), v. t. [L. obsessus, p. p. of obsidere to besiege; ob (see Ob-) + sedere to sit.] To besiege; to beset. Sir T. Elyot.

Ob*ses"sion (?), n. [L. obsessio: cf.F. obsession.] 1. The act of besieging. Johnson.

2. The state of being besieged; -- used specifically of a person beset by a spirit from without. Tylor.

Whether by obsession or possession, I will not determine.

Burton.

Ob*sid"i*an (?), n. [L. Obsidianus lapis, so named, according to Pliny, after one Obsidius, who discovered it in Ethiopia: cf.F. obsidiane, obsidienne. The later editions of Pliny read Obsianus lapis, and Obsius, instead of Obsidianus lapis, and Obsidius.] (Min.) A kind of glass produced by volcanoes. It is usually of a black color, and opaque, except in thin splinters.

In a thin section it often exhibits a fluidal structure, marked by the arrangement of microlites in the lines of the flow of the molten mass.

Ob*sid"i*o*nal (?), a. [L. obsidionalis, from obsidio a siege, obsidere to besiege: cf.F. obsidional. See Obsess.] Of or pertaining to a siege.

Obsidional crown (Rom.Antiq.), a crown bestowed upon a general who raised the siege of a beleaguered place, or upon one who held out against a siege.

Ob*sig`il*la"tion (?), n. [L. ob (see Ob-) + sigillum a seal.] A sealing up. [Obs.] Maunder.

Ob*sign" (?), v. t. [See Obsignate.] To seal; to confirm, as by a seal or stamp. [Obs.] Bradford.

Ob*sig"nate (?), v. t. [L. obsignated, p. p. of obsignare to seal. See Ob-, and Sign.] To seal; to ratify. [Obs.] Barrow.

Ob`sig*na"tion (?), n. [L. obsignatio.] The act of sealing or ratifying; the state of being sealed or confirmed; confirmation, as by the Holy Spirit.

The spirit of manifestation will but upbraid you in the shame and
horror of a sad eternity, if you have not the spirit of
obsignation.

Jer. Taylor.

Ob*sig"na*to*ry (?), a. Ratifying; confirming by sealing. [Obs.] Samuel Ward (1643)

Ob`so*lesce" (?), v. i. [L. obsolescere. See Obsolescent.] To become obsolescent. [R.] Fitzed. Hall.

Ob`so*les"cence (?), n. [See Obsolescent.] The state of becoming obsolete.

Ob`so*les"cent (?), a. [L. obsolescens, -entis, p. pr. of obsolescere, to wear out gradually, to fall into disuse; ob (see Ob-) + solere to use, be wont.] Going out of use; becoming obsolete; passing into desuetude.

Ob"so*lete (?), a. [L. obsoletus, p. p. of obsolescere. See Obsolescent.] 1. No longer in use; gone into disuse; disused; neglected; as, an obsolete word; an obsolete statute; -- applied chiefly to words, writings, or observances.

2. (Biol.) Not very distinct; obscure; rudimental; imperfectly developed; abortive.

Syn. -- Ancient; antiquated; old-fashioned; antique; old; disused; neglected. See Ancient.

Ob"so*lete, v. i. To become obsolete; to go out of use. [R.] Fitzed. Hall.

Ob"so*lete*ly, adv. In an obsolete manner.

Ob"so*lete*ness, n. 1. The state of being obsolete, or no longer used; a state of desuetude.

2. (Biol.) Indistinctness; want of development.

Ob"so*let*ism (?), n. A disused word or phrase; an archaism. Fitzed. Hall.

Ob"sta*cle (?), n. [F., fr. L. obstaculum, fr. obstare to withstand, oppose; ob (see Ob-) + stare to stand. See Stand. and cf. Oust, v.] That which stands in the way, or opposes; anything that hinders progress; a hindrance; an obstruction, physical or moral.

If all obstacles were cut away. And that my path were even to the
crown.

Shak.

Syn. -- Impediment; obstuction; hindrance; difficulty. See Impediment, and Obstruction.

Ob"stan*cy (?), n. [L. obstantia, fr. obstans, p. pr. of obstare. See Obstacle.] Opposition; impediment; obstruction. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

{ Ob*stet"ric (?), Ob*stet"ric*al (?), } a. [L. obstetricius, fr. obstetrix, -icis, a midwife, fr. obstare to stand before: cf.F. obstétrique. See Obstacle.] Of or pertaining to midwifery, or the delivery of women in childbed; as, the obstetric art.

Obstetrical toad (Zoöl.), a European toad of the genus Alytes, especially A. obstetricans. The eggs are laid in a string which the male winds around his legs, and carries about until the young are hatched.

<! p. 993 !>

Ob*stet"ri*cate (?), v. i. [L. obstetricatus, p. p. of obstetricare, fr. obstetrix.] To perform the office of midwife. [Obs.] "Nature does obstetricate." Evelyn.

Ob*stet"ri*cate, v. t. To assist as a midwife. [Obs.] E. Waterhouse.

Ob*stet"ri*ca"tion (?), n. The act of assisting as a midwife; delivery. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Ob`ste*tri"cian (?), n. One skilled in obstetrics; an accoucheur.

Ob`ste*tri"cious (?), a. [See Obstetric.] Serving to assist childbirth; obstetric; hence, facilitating any bringing forth or deliverance. [Obs.]

Yet is all human teaching but maieutical, or obstetricious.

Cudworth.

Ob*stet"rics (?), n. [Cf. F. obstétrique. See Obstetric.] The science of midwifery; the art of assisting women in parturition, or in the trouble incident to childbirth.

Ob*stet"ri*cy (?), n. Obstetrics. [R.] Dunglison.

Ob"sti*na*cy (?), n. [See Obstinate.] 1. A fixedness in will, opinion, or resolution that can not be shaken at all, or only with great difficulty; firm and usually unreasonable adherence to an opinion, purpose, or system; unyielding disposition; stubborness; pertinacity; persistency; contumacy.

You do not well in obstinacy To cavil in the course of this
contract.

Shak.

To shelter their ignorance, or obstinacy, under the obscurity of
their terms.

Locke.

2. The quality or state of being difficult to remedy, relieve, or subdue; as, the obstinacy of a disease or evil.

Syn. -- Pertinacity; firmness; resoluteness; inflexibility; persistency; stubbornness; perverseness; contumacy. -- Obstinacy, Pertinacity. Pertinacity denotes great firmness in holding to a thing, aim, etc. Obstinacy is great firmness in holding out against persuasion, attack, etc. The former consists in adherence, the latter in resistance. An opinion is advocated with pertinacity or defended with obstinacy. Pertinacity is often used in a good sense; obstinacy generally in a bad one. "In this reply was included a very gross mistake, and if with pertinacity maintained, a capital error." Sir T. Browne. "Every degree of obstinacy in youth is one step to rebellion." South.

Ob"sti*nate (?), a. [L. obstinatus, p. p. of obstinare to set about a thing with firmness, to persist in; ob (see Ob-) + a word from the root of stare to stand. See Stand, and cf. Destine.] 1. Pertinaciously adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course; persistent; not yielding to reason, arguments, or other means; stubborn; pertinacious; -- usually implying unreasonableness.

I have known great cures done by obstinate resolution of drinking
no wine.

Sir W. Temple.

No ass so meek, no ass so obstinate.

Pope.

Of sense and outward things.

Wordsworth.

2. Not yielding; not easily subdued or removed; as, obstinate fever; obstinate obstructions.

Syn. -- Stubborn; inflexible; immovable; firm; pertinacious; persistent; headstrong; opinionated; unyielding; refractory; contumacious. See Stubborn.

-- Ob"sti*nate*ly, adv. -- Ob"sti*nate*ness, n.

Ob`sti*na"tion (?), n. [L. obstinatio.] Obstinacy; stubbornness. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

Ob`sti*pa"tion (?), n. [L. obstipatio a close pressure; ob (see Ob-) + stipare to press.] 1. The act of stopping up, as a passage. [Obs.] Bailey.

2. (Med.) Extreme constipation. [Obs.] Hooper.

Ob*strep"er*ous (?), a. [L. obstreperus, from obstrepere to make a noise at; ob (see Ob-) + strepere to make a noise.] Attended by, or making, a loud and tumultuous noise; clamorous; noisy; vociferous. "The obstreperous city." Wordsworth. "Obstreperous approbation." Addison.

Beating the air with their obstreperous beaks.

B. Jonson.

-- Ob*strep"er*ous*ly, adv. -- Ob*strep"er*ous*ness, n.

Ob*stric"tion (?), n. [L. obstringere, obstrictum, to bind to or about.] The state of being constrained, bound, or obliged; that which constrains or obliges; obligation; bond. [R.] Milton.

Ob*stringe" (?), v. t. [See Obstriction.] To constrain; to put under obligation. [R.] Bp. Gardiner.

Ob*struct" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obstructed; p. pr. & vb. n. Obstructing.] [L. obstructus, p. p. of obstruere to build up before or against, to obstruct; ob (see Ob- ) + struere to pile up. See Structure.]

1. To block up; to stop up or close, as a way or passage; to place an obstacle in, or fill with obstacles or impediments that prevent or hinder passing; as, to obstruct a street; to obstruct the channels of the body.

'T is the obstructed paths of sound shall clear.

Pope.

2. To be, or come, in the way of; to hinder from passing; to stop; to impede; to retard; as, the bar in the harbor obstructs the passage of ships; clouds obstruct the light of the sun; unwise rules obstruct legislation. "Th' impatience of obstructed love." Johnson.

Syn. -- To bar; barricade; stop; arrest; check; interrupt; clog; choke; impede; retard; embarrass; oppose.

Ob*struct"er (?), n. One who obstructs or hinders.

Ob*struc"tion (?), n. [L. obstructio.]

1. The act of obstructing, or state of being obstructed.

2. That which obstructs or impedes; an obstacle; an impediment; a hindrance.

A popular assembly free from obstruction.

Swift.

3. The condition of having the natural powers obstructed in their usual course; the arrest of the vital functions; death. [Poetic]

To die, and go we know not where, To lie in cold obstruction, and
to rot.

Shak.

Syn. -- Obstacle; bar; barrier; impediment; clog; check; hindrance. -- Obstruction, Obstacle. The difference between these words is that indicated by their etymology; an obstacle is something standing in the way; an obstruction is something put in the way. Obstacle implies more fixedness and is the stronger word. We remove obstructions; we surmount obstacles.

Disparity in age seems a greater obstacle to an intimate friendship
than inequality of fortune.

Collier.

The king expected to meet with all the obstructions and
difficulties his enraged enemies could lay in his way.

Clarendon.

Ob*struc"tion*ism (?), n. The act or the policy of obstructing progress. Lond. Lit. World.

Ob*struc"tion*ist, n. One who hinders progress; one who obstructs business, as in a legislative body. -- a. Of or pertaining to obstructionists. [Recent]

Ob*struct"ive (?), a. [Cf.F. obstrictif.] Tending to obstruct; presenting obstacles; hindering; causing impediment. -- Ob*struct"ive*ly, adv.

Ob*struct"ive, n. An obstructive person or thing.

Ob"stru*ent (?), a. [L. obstruens, p. pr. of obstruere. See Obstruct.] Causing obstruction; blocking up; hindering; as, an obstruent medicine. Johnson.

Ob"stru*ent, n. Anything that obstructs or closes a passage; esp., that which obstructs natural passages in the body; as, a medicine which acts as an obstruent.

Ob*stu`pe*fac"tion (?), n. [L. obstuperfacere to stupefy.] See Stupefaction. [Obs.] Howell.

Ob*stu`pe*fac"tive (?), a. Stupefactive. [Obs.]

Ob*stu"pe*fy (?), v. t. [Cf.L. obstupefacere. See Ob-, and Stupefy.] See Stupefy. [Obs.]

Ob*tain" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtained (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obtaining.] [F. obtenir, L. obtinere; ob (see Ob-) + tenere to hold. See Tenable.]

1. To hold; to keep; to possess. [Obs.]

His mother, then, is mortal, but his Sire He who obtains the
monarchy of heaven.

Milton.

2. To get hold of by effort; to gain possession of; to procure; to acquire, in any way.

Some pray for riches; riches they obtain.

Dryden.

By guileful fair words peace may be obtained.

Shak.

It may be that I may obtain children by her.

Gen. xvi. 2.

Syn. -- To attain; gain; procure; acquire; win; earn. See Attain. -- To Obtain, Get, Gain, Earn, Acquire. The idea of getting is common to all these terms. We may, indeed, with only a slight change of sense, substitute get for either of them; as, to get or to gain a prize; to get or to obtain an employment; to get or to earn a living; to get or to acquire a language. To gain is to get by striving; and as this is often a part of our good fortune, the word gain is peculiarly applicable to whatever comes to us fortuitously. Thus, we gain a victory, we gain a cause, we gain an advantage, etc. To earn is to deserve by labor or service; as, to earn good wages; to earn a triumph. Unfortunately, one does not always get or obtain what he has earned. To obtain implies desire for possession, and some effort directed to the attainment of that which is not immediately within our reach. Whatever we thus seek and get, we obtain, whether by our own exertions or those of others; whether by good or bad means; whether permanently, or only for a time. Thus, a man obtains an employment; he obtains an answer to a letter, etc. To acquire is more limited and specific. We acquire what comes to us gradually in the regular exercise of our abilities, while we obtain what comes in any way, provided we desire it. Thus, we acquire knowledge, property, honor, reputation, etc. What we acquire becomes, to a great extent, permanently our own; as, to acquire a language; to acquire habits of industry, etc.

Ob*tain", v. i. 1. To become held; to gain or have a firm footing; to be recognized or established; to subsist; to become prevalent or general; to prevail; as, the custom obtains of going to the seashore in summer.

Sobriety hath by use obtained to signify temperance in drinking.

Jer. Taylor.

The Theodosian code, several hundred years after Justinian's time,
did obtain in the western parts of Europe.

Baker.

2. To prevail; to succeed. [R.] Evelyn.

So run that ye may obtain.

1 Cor. ix. 24.

There is due from the judge to the advocate, some commendation,
where causes are fair pleaded; especially towards the side which
obtaineth not.

Bacon.

Ob*tain"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being obtained.

Ob*tain"er (?), n. One who obtains.

Ob*tain"ment (?), n. The act or process of obtaining; attainment. Milton.

Ob*tect"ed (?), a. [L. obtectus, p. p. of obtegere to cover over.] 1. Covered; protected. [Obs.]

2. (Zoöl.) Covered with a hard chitinous case, as the pupa of certain files.

Ob*tem"per (?), v. t. & i. [See Obtemperate.] (Scots Law) To obey (a judgment or decree).

Ob*tem"per*ate (?), v. t. [L. obtemperare, obtemperatum to obey.] To obey. [Obs.] Johnson.

Ob*tend" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtended; p. pr. & vb. n. Obtending.] [L. obtendere, obtentum, to stretch or place before or against; ob (see Ob-) + tendere to stretch.] 1. To oppose; to hold out in opposition. [Obs.] Dryden.

2. To offer as the reason of anything; to pretend. [Obs.] Dryden

Ob*ten`e*bra"tion (?), n. [L. obtenebrate to make dark.] The act of darkening; the state of being darkened; darkness. [Obs.]

In every megrim or vertigo, there is an obtenebration joined with a
semblance of turning round.

Bacon.

Ob*ten"sion (?), n. [L. obtentio. See Obtend.] The act of obtending. [Obs.] Johnson.

Ob*test" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtested; p. pr. & vb. n. Obtesting.] [L. obtestari; ob (see Ob-) + testari to witness, fr. testis a witness.] 1. To call to witness; to invoke as a witness. [R.] Dryden.

2. To beseech; to supplicate; to beg for. [R.]

Ob*test", v. i. To protest. [R.] E. Waterhouse.

Ob`tes*ta"tion (?), n. [L. obtestatio.] The act of obtesting; supplication; protestation. [R.]

Antonio asserted this with great obtestation.

Evelyn.

Ob`trec*ta"tion (?), n. [L. obtrectatio, from obtrectare to detract from through envy. See Detract.] Slander; detraction; calumny. [Obs.] Barrow.

Ob*trude" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtruded, p. pr. & vb. n. Obtruding.] [L. obtrudere, obtrusum; ob (see Ob-) + trudere to thrust. See Threat.] 1. To thrust impertinently; to present without warrant or solicitation; as, to obtrude one's self upon a company.

The objects of our senses obtrude their particular ideas upon our
minds, whether we will or no.

Lock.

2. To offer with unreasonable importunity; to urge unduly or against the will. Milton.

Ob*trude", v. i. To thrust one's self upon a company or upon attention; to intrude.

Syn. -- To Obtrude, Intrude. To intrude is to thrust one's self into a place, society, etc., without right, or uninvited; to obtrude is to force one's self, remarks, opinions, etc., into society or upon persons with whom one has no such intimacy as to justify such boldness.

Ob*trud"er (?), n. One who obtrudes. Boyle.

Ob*trun"cate (?), v. t. [L. obtruncatus, p. p. of obtruncare.] To deprive of a limb; to lop. [R.]

Ob`trun*ca"tion (?), n. [L. obtruncatio.] The act of lopping or cutting off. [R.] Cockeram.

Ob*tru"sion (?), n. [L. obtrusio. See Obtrude.] 1. The act of obtruding; a thrusting upon others by force or unsolicited; as, the obtrusion of crude opinions on the world.

2. That which is obtruded. Milton.

Ob*tru"sion*ist, n. One who practices or excuses obtrusion. [R.] Gent. Mag.

Ob*tru"sive (?), a. Disposed to obtrude; inclined to intrude or thrust one's self or one's opinions upon others, or to enter uninvited; forward; pushing; intrusive. -- Ob*tru"sive*ly, adv. - - Ob*tru"sive*ness, n.

Not obvious, not obtrusive, but retired.

Milton.

Ob*tund" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtunded; p. pr. & vb. n. Obtunding.] [L. obtundere, obtusum; ob (see Ob-) + tundere to strike or beat. See Stutter.] To reduce the edge, pungency, or violent action of; to dull; to blunt; to deaden; to quell; as, to obtund the acrimony of the gall. [Archaic] Harvey.

They . . . have filled all our law books with the obtunding story
of their suits and trials.

Milton.

Ob*tund"ent (?), n. [L. obtundens, p. pr. of obtundere.] (Med.) A substance which sheathes a part, or blunts irritation, usually some bland, oily, or mucilaginous matter; -- nearly the same as demulcent. Forsyth.

Ob*tund"er (?), n. (Med.) That which obtunds or blunts; especially, that which blunts sensibility.

Ob`tu*ra"tion (?), n. [L. obturare to stop up: cf.F. obturation.] The act of stopping up, or closing, an opening. "Deaf by an outward obturation." Bp. Hall.

Ob"tu*ra`tor (?), n. [NL., fr. L. obturare to stop up: cf.F. obturateur.] 1. That which closes or stops an opening.

2. (Surg.) An apparatus designed to close an unnatural opening, as a fissure of the palate.

Ob"tu*ra`tor, a. (Anat.) Serving as an obturator; closing an opening; pertaining to, or in the region of, the obturator foramen; as, the obturator nerve.

Obturator foramen (Anat.), an opening situated between the public and ischial parts of the innominate bone and closed by the obturator membrane; the thyroid foramen.

Ob*tus"an`gu*lar (?), a. See Obstuseangular.

Ob*tuse" (?). a. [Compar. Obtuser (&?;); superl. Obtusest.] [L. obtusus, p. p. of obtundere to blunt: cf. F. obtus. See Obtund.] 1. Not pointed or acute; blunt; -- applied esp. to angles greater than a right angle, or containing more than ninety degrees.

2. Not having acute sensibility or perceptions; dull; stupid; as, obtuse senses. Milton.

3. Dull; deadened; as, obtuse sound. Johnson.

{ Ob*tuse"-an`gled (?), ob*tuse"-an`gu*lar (?), } a. Having an obtuse angle; as, an obtuse- angled triangle.

Ob*tuse"ly, adv. In an obtuse manner.

Ob*tuse"ness, n. State or quality of being obtuse.

Ob*tu"sion (&?;), n. [L. obtusio, from obtundere to blunt. See Obtund.] 1. The act or process of making obtuse or blunt.

2. The state of being dulled or blunted; as, the obtusion of the senses. Harvey.

Ob*tu"si*ty (?), n. Obtuseness. Lond. Quart. Rev.

Ob*um"brant (?), a. [L. obumbrans, p. pr.] (Zoöl.) Overhanging; as, obumbrant feathers.

Ob*um"brate (?), v. t. [L. obumbratus, p. p. of obumbrare to overshadow, cloud; ob + umbrare to shade.] To shade; to darken; to cloud. [R.] Howell.

Ob`um*bra"tion (?), n. [L. obumbratio.] Act of darkening or obscuring. [R.] Sir T. More.

Ob*un"cous (?), a. [L. obuncus; ob (see Ob-) + uncus hooked.] Hooked or crooked in an extreme degree. Maunder.

Ob*ven"tion (?), n. [L. obvention, fr. obvenire to come before or in the way of, to befall; ob (see Ob-) + venire to come: cf.F. obvention.] The act of happening incidentally; that which happens casually; an incidental advantage; an occasional offering. [Obs.] "Tithes and other obventions." Spenser.

Legacies bequeathed by the deaths of princes and great persons, and
other casualities and obventions.

Fuller.

Ob*vers"ant (?), a. [L. obversans, p. pr. of obversari to hover before; ob (see Ob-) + versare to move about.] Conversant; familiar. [Obs.] Bacon.

Ob*verse" (?), a. [L. obversus, p. p. of obvertere. See Obvert.] Having the base, or end next the attachment, narrower than the top, as a leaf.

Ob"verse (?), n. [Cf.F. obverse, obvers. See Obverse, a.] 1. The face of a coin which has the principal image or inscription upon it; -- the other side being the reverse.

2. Anything necessarily involved in, or answering to, another; the more apparent or conspicuous of two possible sides, or of two corresponding things.

The fact that it [a belief] invariably exists being the obverse of
the fact that there is no alternative belief.

H. Spencer.

<! p. 994 !>

Ob*verse"ly (?), adv. In an obverse manner.

Ob*ver"sion (?), n. [L. obversio a turning towards.] 1. The act of turning toward or downward.

2. (Logic) The act of immediate inference, by which we deny the opposite of anything which has been affirmed; as, all men are mortal; then, by obversion, no men are immortal. This is also described as "immediate inference by privative conception." Bain.

Ob*vert" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obverted; p. pr. & vb. n. Obverting.] [L. obvertere; ob (see Ob-) + vertere to turn. See Verse.] To turn toward.

If its base be obverted towards us.

I. Watts.

Ob"vi*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obviated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obviating.] [L. obviare; ob (see Ob-) + viare to go, fr. via way. See Voyage.]

1. To meet in the way. [Obs.]

Not to stir a step to obviate any of a different religion.

Fuller.

2. To anticipate; to prevent by interception; to remove from the way or path; to make unnecessary; as, to obviate the necessity of going.

To lay down everything in its full light, so as to obviate all
exceptions.

Woodward.

Ob`vi*a"tion (?), n. The act of obviating, or the state of being obviated.

Ob"vi*ous (?), a. [L. obvius; ob (see Ob-) + via way. See Voyage.] 1. Opposing; fronting. [Obs.]

To the evil turn My obvious breast.

Milton.

2. Exposed; subject; open; liable. [Obs.] "Obvious to dispute." Milton.

3. Easily discovered, seen, or understood; readily perceived by the eye or the intellect; plain; evident; apparent; as, an obvious meaning; an obvious remark.

Apart and easy to be known they lie, Amidst the heap, and obvious
to the eye.

Pope.

Syn. -- Plain; clear; evident. See Manifest.

-- Ob"vi*ous*ly, adv. -- Ob"vi*ous- ness, n.

{ Ob"vo*lute (?), Ob`vo*lu"ted (?), } a. [L. obvolutus, p. p. of obvolvere to wrap round; ob (see Ob-) + volvere to roll.] Overlapping; contorted; convolute; -- applied primarily, in botany, to two opposite leaves, each of which has one edge overlapping the nearest edge of the other, and secondarily to a circle of several leaves or petals which thus overlap.

O"by (?), n. See Obi.

||O"ca (?), n. [Sp.] (Bot.) A Peruvian name for certain species of ||Oxalis (O. crenata, and O. tuberosa) which bear edible tubers.

Oc"ca*my (?), n. [A corruption of alchemy.] An alloy imitating gold or silver. [Written also ochimy, ochymy, etc.]

Oc*ca"sion (k*k"zhn), n. [F. occasion, L. occasio, fr. occidere, occasum, to fall down; ob (see Ob- ) + cadere to fall. See Chance, and cf. Occident.] 1. A falling out, happening, or coming to pass; hence, that which falls out or happens; occurrence; incident.

The unlooked-for incidents of family history, and its hidden
excitements, and its arduous occasions.

I. Taylor.

2. A favorable opportunity; a convenient or timely chance; convenience.

Sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me.

Rom. vii. 11.

I'll take the occasion which he gives to bring Him to his death.

Waller.

3. An occurrence or condition of affairs which brings with it some unlooked-for event; that which incidentally brings to pass an event, without being its efficient cause or sufficient reason; accidental or incidental cause.

Her beauty was the occasion of the war.

Dryden.

4. Need; exigency; requirement; necessity; as, I have no occasion for firearms.

After we have served ourselves and our own occasions.

Jer. Taylor.

When my occasions took me into France.

Burke.

5. A reason or excuse; a motive; a persuasion.

Whose manner was, all passengers to stay, And entertain with her
occasions sly.

Spenser.

On occasion, in case of need; in necessity; as convenience requires; occasionally. "That we might have intelligence from him on occasion," De Foe.

Syn. -- Need; incident; use. See Opportunity.

Oc*ca"sion (k*k"zhn), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Occasioned (- zhnd); p. pr. & vb. n. Occasioning.] [Cf.F. occasionner.] To give occasion to; to cause; to produce; to induce; as, to occasion anxiety. South.

If we inquire what it is that occasions men to make several
combinations of simple ideas into distinct modes.

Locke.

Oc*ca"sion*a*ble (?), a. Capable of being occasioned or caused. Barrow.

Oc*ca"sion*al (?), a. [Cf.F. occasionnel.] 1. Of or pertaining to an occasion or to occasions; occuring at times, but not constant, regular, or systematic; made or happening as opportunity requires or admits; casual; incidental; as, occasional remarks, or efforts.

The . . . occasional writing of the present times.

Bagehot.

2. Produced by accident; as, the occasional origin of a thing. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Occasional cause (Metaph.), some circumstance preceding an effect which, without being the real cause, becomes the occasion of the action of the efficient cause; thus, the act of touching gunpowder with fire is the occasional, but not the efficient, cause of an explosion.

Oc*ca"sion*al*ism (?), n. (Metaph.) The system of occasional causes; -- a name given to certain theories of the Cartesian school of philosophers, as to the intervention of the First Cause, by which they account for the apparent reciprocal action of the soul and the body.

Oc*ca`sion*al"i*ty (?), n. Quality or state of being occasional; occasional occurrence. [R.]

Oc*ca"sion*al*ly (?), adv. In an occasional manner; on occasion; at times, as convenience requires or opportunity offers; not regularly. Stewart.

The one, Wolsey, directly his subject by birth; the other, his
subject occasionally by his preferment.

Fuller.

Oc*ca"sion*ate (?), v. t. To occasion. [Obs.]

The lowest may occasionate much ill.

Dr. H. More.

Oc*ca"sion*er (?), n. One who, or that which, occasions, causes, or produces. Bp. Sanderson.

Oc*ca"sive (?), a. [L. occasivus, fr. occasus a going down, setting of the heavenly bodies, fr. occidere to fall or down. See Occasion.] Of or pertaining to the setting sun; falling; descending; western.

Oc*ce*ca"tion (?), n. [L. occaecatio, fr. occaecare to make blind; ob + caecare to blind, fr. caecus blind.] The act of making blind, or the state of being blind. [R.] "This inward occecation." Bp. Hall.

Oc"ci*dent (?), n. [F., fr. L. occidens, occidentis, fr. occidents, p. pr. of occidere to fall or go down. See Occasion.] The part of the horizon where the sun last appears in the evening; that part of the earth towards the sunset; the west; -- opposed to orient. Specifically, in former times, Europe as opposed to Asia; now, also, the Western hemisphere. Chaucer.

I may wander from east to occident.

Shak.

Oc`ci*den"tal (?), a. [L. occidentalis; cf. F. occidental.] 1. Of, pertaining to, or situated in, the occident, or west; western; -- opposed to oriental; as, occidental climates, or customs; an occidental planet.

2. Possessing inferior hardness, brilliancy, or beauty; -- used of inferior precious stones and gems, because those found in the Orient are generally superior.

Oc`ci*den"tals (?), n. pl. (Eccl.) Western Christians of the Latin rite. See Orientals. Shipley.

Oc*cid"u*ous (?), a. [L. occiduus, fr. occidere to go down.] Western; occidental. [R.] Blount.

Oc*cip"i*tal (?), a. [Cf. F. occipital.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the occiput, or back part of the head, or to the occipital bone.

Occipital bone (Anat.), the bone which forms the posterior segment of the skull and surrounds the great foramen by which the spinal cord leaves the cranium. In the higher vertebrates it is usually composed of four bones, which become consolidated in the adult. -- Occipital point (Anat.), the point of the occiput in the mesial plane farthest from the ophryon.

Oc*cip"i*tal, n. (Anat.) The occipital bone.

Oc*cip"i*to- (&?;). [See Occiput.] A combining form denoting relation to, or situation near, the occiput; as, occipito-axial; occipito- mastoid.

Oc*cip`i*to*ax"i*al (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the occipital bone and second vertebra, or axis.

Oc"ci*put (?), n.; pl. L. Occipita (#), E. Occiputs. [L., fr. ob (see Ob-) + caput head. See Chief.] 1. (Anat.) The back, or posterior, part of the head or skull; the region of the occipital bone.

2. (Zoöl.) A plate which forms the back part of the head of insects.

Oc*ci"sion (?), n. [L. occisio, fr. occidere, occisium, to cut down, to kill; ob (see Ob-) + caedere to cut.] A killing; the act of killing. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.

Oc*clude" (?), v. t. [L. occludere, occlusum; ob (see Ob-) + claudere to shut.] 1. To shut up; to close. Sir T. Browne.

2. (Chem.) To take in and retain; to absorb; -- said especially with respect to gases; as iron, platinum, and palladium occlude large volumes of hydrogen.

Oc*clud"ent (?), a. [L. occludens, p. pr. of occludere.] Serving to close; shutting up. -- n. That which closes or shuts up. Sterne.

Oc*cluse" (?), a. [L. occlusus, p. p. See Occlude.] Shut; closed. [Obs.] Holder.

Oc*clu"sion (?), n. [See Occlude.] 1. The act of occluding, or the state of being occluded.

Constriction and occlusion of the orifice.

Howell.

2. (Med.) The transient approximation of the edges of a natural opening; imperforation. Dunglison.

Occlusion of gases (Chem. & Physics), the phenomenon of absorbing gases, as exhibited by platinum, palladium, iron, or charcoal; thus, palladium absorbs, or occludes, nearly a thousand times its own volume of hydrogen, and in this case a chemical compound seems to be formed.

Oc*crus"tate (?), v. t. [See Ob- , and Crustated.] To incrust; to harden. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

Oc*cult" (?), a. [L. occultus, p. p. of occulere to cover up, hide; ob (see Ob- ) + a root prob.akin to E. hell: cf. F. occulte.] Hidden from the eye or the understanding; inviable; secret; concealed; unknown.

It is of an occult kind, and is so insensible in its advances as to
escape observation.

I. Taylor.

Occult line (Geom.), a line drawn as a part of the construction of a figure or problem, but not to appear in the finished plan. -- Occult qualities, those qualities whose effects only were observed, but the nature and relations of whose productive agencies were undetermined; -- so called by the schoolmen. -- Occult sciences, those sciences of the Middle Ages which related to the supposed action or influence of occult qualities, or supernatural powers, as alchemy, magic, necromancy, and astrology.

Oc*cult", v. t. To eclipse; to hide from sight.

Oc`cul*ta"tion (?), n. [L. occultatio a hiding, fr. occultare, v. intens. of occulere: cf.F. occultation. See Occult.] 1. (Astron.) The hiding of a heavenly body from sight by the intervention of some other of the heavenly bodies; -- applied especially to eclipses of stars and planets by the moon, and to the eclipses of satellites of planets by their primaries.

2. Fig.: The state of being occult.

The reappearance of such an author after those long periods of
occultation.

Jeffrey.

Circle of perpetual occultation. See under Circle.

Oc*cult"ed, a. 1. Hidden; secret. [Obs.] Shak.

2. (Astron.) Concealed by the intervention of some other heavenly body, as a star by the moon.

Oc*cult"ing (?), n. Same as Occultation.

Oc*cult"ism (?), n. A certain Oriental system of theosophy. A. P. Sinnett.

Oc*cult"ist, n. An adherent of occultism.

Oc*cult"ly, adv. In an occult manner.

Oc*cult"ness, n. State or quality of being occult.

Oc"cu*pan*cy (?), n. [See Occupant.] The act of taking or holding possession; possession; occupation.

Title by occupancy (Law), a right of property acquired by taking the first possession of a thing, or possession of a thing which belonged to nobody, and appropriating it. Blackstone. Kent.

Oc"cu*pant (?), n. [L. occupans, p. pr. of occupare: cf. F. occupant. See Occupy.] 1. One who occupies, or takes possession; one who has the actual use or possession, or is in possession, of a thing.

This word, in law, sometimes signifies one who takes the first possession of a thing that has no owner.

2. A prostitute. [Obs.] Marston.

Oc"cu*pate (?), v. t. [L. occupatus, p. p. of occupare. See Occupy.] To occupy. [Obs.] Bacon.

Oc`cu*pa"tion (?), n. [L. occupatio: cf.F. occupation.] 1. The act or process of occupying or taking possession; actual possession and control; the state of being occupied; a holding or keeping; tenure; use; as, the occupation of lands by a tenant.

2. That which occupies or engages the time and attention; the principal business of one's life; vocation; employment; calling; trade.

Absence of occupation is not rest.

Cowper.

Occupation bridge (Engin.), a bridge connecting the parts of an estate separated by a railroad, a canal, or an ordinary road.

Syn. -- Occupancy; possession; tenure; use; employment; avocation; engagement; vocation; calling; office; trade; profession.

Oc"cu*pi`er (?), n. 1. One who occupies, or has possession.

2. One who follows an employment; hence, a tradesman. [Obs.] "Merchants and occupiers." Holland.

The occupiers of thy merchandise.

Ezek. xxvii. 27.

Oc"cu*py (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Occupied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Occupying (?).] [OE. occupien, F. occuper, fr.L. occupare; ob (see Ob-) + a word akin to capere to take. See Capacious.] 1. To take or hold possession of; to hold or keep for use; to possess.

Woe occupieth the fine [/end] of our gladness.

Chaucer.

The better apartments were already occupied.

W. Irving.

2. To hold, or fill, the dimensions of; to take up the room or space of; to cover or fill; as, the camp occupies five acres of ground. Sir J. Herschel.

3. To possess or use the time or capacity of; to engage the service of; to employ; to busy.

An archbishop may have cause to occupy more chaplains than six.

Eng. Statute (Hen. VIII. )

They occupied themselves about the Sabbath.

2 Macc. viii. 27.

4. To do business in; to busy one's self with. [Obs.]

All the ships of the sea, with their mariners, were in thee to
occupy the merchandise.

Ezek. xxvii. 9.

Not able to occupy their old crafts.

Robynson (More's Utopia).

5. To use; to expend; to make use of. [Obs.]

All the gold that was occupied for the work.

Ex. xxxviii. 24.

They occupy not money themselves.

Robynson (More's Utopia).

6. To have sexual intercourse with. [Obs.] Nares.

Oc"cu*py, v. i. 1. To hold possession; to be an occupant. "Occupy till I come." Luke xix. 13.

2. To follow business; to traffic.

Oc*cur" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Occurred(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Occurring (?).] [L. occurrere, occursum; ob (see Ob-) + currere to run. See Course.] 1. To meet; to clash. [Obs.]

The resistance of the bodies they occur with.

Bentley.

2. To go in order to meet; to make reply. [Obs.]

I must occur to one specious objection.

Bentley.

3. To meet one's eye; to be found or met with; to present itself; to offer; to appear; to happen; to take place; as, I will write if opportunity occurs.

In Scripture, though the word heir occur, yet there is no such
thing as "heir" in our author's sense.

Locke.

4. To meet or come to the mind; to suggest itself; to be presented to the imagination or memory.

There doth not occur to me any use of this experiment for profit.

Bacon.

Oc*cur"rence (?), n. [Cf. F. occurrence. See Occur.] 1. A coming or happening; as, the occurence of a railway collision.

Voyages detain the mind by the perpetual occurrence and expectation
of something new.

I. Watts.

2. Any incident or event; esp., one which happens without being designed or expected; as, an unusual occurrence, or the ordinary occurrences of life.

All the occurrence of my fortune.

Shak.

Syn. -- See Event.

Oc*cur"rent (?), a. [L. occurrens, -entis, p. pr. of occurrere: cf.F. occurrent. See Occur.] Occurring or happening; hence, incidental; accidental.

Oc*cur"rent (?), n. 1. One who meets; hence, an adversary. [Obs.] Holland.

2. Anything that happens; an occurrence. [Obs.]

These we must meet with in obvious occurrents of the world.

Sir T. Browne.

Oc*curse" (?), n. [L. occursus.] Same as Occursion. [Obs.] Bentley.

Oc*cur"sion (?), n. [L. occursio. See Occur.] A meeting; a clash; a collision. [Obs.] Boyle.

<! p. 995 !>

O"cean ("shan), n. [F. océan, L. oceanus, Gr. 'wkeano`s ocean, in Homer, the great river supposed to encompass the earth.] 1. The whole body of salt water which covers more than three fifths of the surface of the globe; -- called also the sea, or great sea.

Like the odor of brine from the ocean Comes the thought of other
years.

Longfellow.

2. One of the large bodies of water into which the great ocean is regarded as divided, as the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic and Antarctic oceans.

3. An immense expanse; any vast space or quantity without apparent limits; as, the boundless ocean of eternity; an ocean of affairs. Locke.

O"cean ("shan), a. Of or pertaining to the main or great sea; as, the ocean waves; an ocean stream. Milton.

O`ce*an"ic (?), a. [Cf.F. océanique. See Ocean.] 1. Of or pertaining to the ocean; found or formed in or about, or produced by, the ocean; frequenting the ocean, especially mid- ocean.

Petrels are the most aërial and oceanic of birds.

Darwin.

2. Of or pertaining to Oceania or its inhabitants.

O`cean*og"ra*phy (?), n. [Ocean + -graphy.] A description of the ocean.

O`cean*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Ocean + -logy.] That branch of science which relates to the ocean.

||O*ce"a*nus (?), n. [L., from Gr. &?;.] (Gr.Myth.) The god of the ||great outer sea, or the river which was believed to flow around the ||whole earth.

O*cel"la*ry (?), a. Of or pertaining to ocelli.

O*cel"late (?), a. Same as Ocellated.

O*cel"la*ted (?), a. [L. ocellatus, fr. ocellus a little eye, dim. of oculus an eye.] 1. Resembling an eye.

2. Marked with eyelike spots of color; as, the ocellated blenny.

Ocellated turkey (Zoöl.), the wild turkey of Central America (Meleagris ocellata).

||O*cel"lus (?), n.; pl. Ocelli (#). [L., dim. of oculus an eye.] ||(Zoöl.) (a) A little eye; a minute simple eye found in many ||invertebrates. (b) An eyelike spot of color, as those on the tail of ||the peacock.

O"ce*loid (?), a. [Ocelot + - oid.] (Zoöl.) Resembling the ocelot.

O"ce*lot (?), n. [Mexican ocelotl.] (Zoöl.) An American feline carnivore (Felis pardalis). It ranges from the Southwestern United States to Patagonia. It is covered with blackish ocellated spots and blotches, which are variously arranged. The ground color varies from reddish gray to tawny yellow.

{ O"cher, O"chre } (?), n. [F. ocre, L. ochra, fr. Gr. &?;, from (&?;) pale, pale yellow.] (Min.) (a) A impure earthy ore of iron or a ferruginous clay, usually red (hematite) or yellow (limonite), -- used as a pigment in making paints, etc. The name is also applied to clays of other colors. (b) A metallic oxide occurring in earthy form; as, tungstic ocher or tungstite.

{ O"cher*ous, O"chre*ous } (?), a. [Cf. F. ocreux.] Of or pertaining to ocher; containing or resembling ocher; as, ocherous matter; ocherous soil.

O"cher*y (?), a. Ocherous. [Written also ochrey, ochry.]

Och`i*my (?), n. [Obs.] See Occamy.

||Och*le"sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; disturbance, fr. &?; crowd, ||mob.] (Med.) A general morbid condition induced by the crowding ||together of many persons, esp. sick persons, under one roof. G. ||Gregory.

Och*loc"ra*cy (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; the populace, multitude + &?; to be strong, to rule, &?; strength: cf.F. ochlocratie.] A form of government by the multitude; a mobocracy. Hare.

{ Och`lo*crat`ic (?), Och`lo*crat`ic*al (?), } a. Of or pertaining to ochlocracy; having the form or character of an ochlocracy; mobocratic.

-- Och`lo*crat"ic*al*ly, adv.

O*chra"ceous (?), a. Ocherous.

O"chre (?), n. (Min.) See Ocher.

||O"chre*a (?), n.; pl. Ochreæe (#). [L.] 1. (Antiq.) A greave or ||legging.

2. (Bot.) A kind of sheath formed by two stipules united round a stem.