Chapter LI: Bella (44)

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

OBJECTIVE Ob*jec"tive, n.

1. (Gram.)

Defn: The objective case.

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

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

OBJECTIVELY Ob*jec"tive*ly, adv.

Defn: In the manner or state of an object; as, a determinate idea objectively in the mind.

OBJECTIVENESS Ob*jec"tive*ness, n.

Defn: Objectivity. Is there such a motion or objectiveness of external bodies, which produceth light Sir M. Hale

OBJECTIVITY Ob`jec*tiv"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf.F. objectivité.]

Defn: 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.

OBJECTIZE Ob"ject*ize, v. t.

Defn: 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.

OBJECTLESS Ob"ject*less, a.

Defn: Having no object; purposeless.

OBJECTOR Ob*ject"or, n. Etym: [L., an accuser.]

Defn: One who objects; one who offers objections to a proposition or measure.

OBJIBWAYS Ob*jib"ways, n.pl.

Defn: See Chippeways.

OBJICIENT Ob*jic"i*ent, n. Etym: [L. objiciens, p.pr. of objicere to object.]

Defn: One who makes objection; an objector. [R.] Cardinal Wiseman.

OBJURATION Ob`ju*ra"tion, n. Etym: [L. objurare to bind by oath; ob (see Ob-) + jurare to swear, fr. jus right.]

Defn: A binding by oath. [R.] Abp. Bramhall.

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

Defn: To chide; to reprove.

OBJURGATION Ob`jur*ga"tion, n. Etym: [L. objurgatio: cf.F.objurgation.]

Defn: 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.

OBJURGATORY Ob*jur"ga*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. objurgatorius.]

Defn: Designed to objurgate or chide; containing or expressing reproof; culpatory. Bancroft. The objurgatory question of the Pharisees. Paley.

OBLANCEOLATE Ob*lan"ce*o*late, a. Etym: [Pref. ob- + lanceolate.]

Defn: Lanceolate in the reversed order, that is, narrowing toward the point of attachment more than toward the apex.

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

1. (Geom.)

Defn: 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.

OBLATE Ob*late", n. Etym: [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.

OBLATENESS Ob*late"ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being oblate.

OBLATI Ob*la"ti, n. pl. Etym: [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.

OBLATION Ob*la"tion, n. Etym: [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.

OBLATIONER Ob*la"tion*er, n.

Defn: One who makes an offering as an act worship or reverence. Dr. H. More.

OBLATRATE Ob*la"trate, v. i. Etym: [L. oblatratus, p.p. of oblatrare to bark against.]

Defn: To bark or snarl, as a dog. [Obs.]

OBLATRATION Ob`la*tra"tion, n.

Defn: The act of oblatrating; a barking or snarling. Bp. Hall.

OBLATUM Ob*la"tum, n.; pl. Oblata. Etym: [NL. See Oblate.] (Geom.)

Defn: An oblate spheroid; a figure described by the revolution of an ellipse about its minor axis. Cf. Oblongum.

OBLECTATE Ob*lec"tate, v. t. Etym: [L. oblectatus, p.p. of oblectare.]

Defn: To delight; to please greatly. [Obs.]

OBLECTATION Ob"lec*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. oblectatio.]

Defn: The act of pleasing highly; the state of being greatly pleased; delight. [R.] Feltham.

OBLIGABLE Ob"li*ga*ble, a.

Defn: 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.

OBLIGATE Ob"li*gate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obligated; p. pr. & vb. n. Obligating.] Etym: [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.

OBLIGATION Ob"li*ga"tion, n. Etym: [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)

Defn: 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.

OBLIGATO Ob"li*ga"to, a. Etym: [It.]

Defn: See Obbligato.

OBLIGATORILY Ob"li*ga*to*ri*ly, adv.

Defn: In an obligatory manner; by reason of obligation. Foxe.

OBLIGATORINESS Ob"li*ga*to*ri*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being obligatory.

OBLIGATORY Ob"li*ga*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. obligatorius: cf.F. obligatoire.]

Defn: 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.

OBLIGE O*blige", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obliged; p. pr. & vb. n. Obliging.] Etym: [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.

OBLIGEE Ob"li*gee", n. Etym: [F. obligé, p.p. of obliger. See Oblige.]

Defn: The person to whom another is bound, or the person to whom a bond is given. Blackstone.

OBLIGEMENT O*blige"ment, n.

Defn: Obligation. [R.] I will not resist, therefore, whatever it is, either of divine or human obligement, that you lay upon me. Milton.

OBLIGER O*bli"ger, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, obliges. Sir H. Wotton.

OBLIGING O*bli"ging, a.

Defn: 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.

OBLIGOR Ob`li*gor", n.

Defn: The person who binds himself, or gives his bond to another. Blackstone.

OBLIQUATION Ob`li*qua"tion, n. Etym: [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.]

OBLIQUE Ob*lique", a. Etym: [F., fr. L. obliquus; ob (see Ob-) + liquis oblique; cf. licinus bent upward, Gr [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 25º. It is not now practiced. Wilhelm. -- Oblique system of coördinates (Anal. Geom.), a system in which the coördinate axes are oblique to each other.

OBLIQUE Ob*lique", n. (Geom.)

Defn: An oblique line.

OBLIQUE 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.)

Defn: 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.

OBLIQUE-ANGLED Ob*lique"-an`gled, a.

Defn: Having oblique angles; as, an oblique-angled triangle.

OBLIQUELY Ob*lique"ly, adv.

Defn: 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.

OBLIQUENESS Ob*lique"ness, n.

Defn: Quality or state of being oblique.

OBLIQUITY Ob*liq"ui*ty, n.; pl. Obliquities. Etym: [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.

OBLITE Ob"lite, a. Etym: [L. oblitus, p.p. pf oblinere to besmear.]

Defn: Indistinct; slurred over. [Obs.] "Obscure and oblite mention." Fuller.

OBLITERATE Ob*lit"er*ate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obliterated; p. pr. & vb. n. Obliterating.] Etym: [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.

OBLITERATE Ob*lit"er*ate, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Scarcely distinct; -- applied to the markings of insects.

OBLITERATION Ob*lit`er*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. obliteratio: cf.F. oblitération.]

Defn: The act of obliterating, or the state of being obliterated; extinction. Sir. M. Hale.

OBLITERATIVE Ob*lit"er*a*tive, a.

Defn: Tending or serving to obliterate.

OBLIVION Ob*liv"i*on, n. Etym: [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.

OBLIVIOUS Ob*liv"i*ous, a. Etym: [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.

OBLOCUTOR Ob*loc"u*tor, n. Etym: [L. oblocutor, obloquutor, fr. obloqui, oblocutus, to speak against; ob (see Ob-) + loqui to speak. See Loquacious.]

Defn: A disputer; a gainsayer. [Obs.] Bale.

OBLONG Ob"long, a. Etym: [L. oblongus; ob (see Ob-) + longus long: cf. F. oblong.]

Defn: Having greater length than breadth, esp. when rectangular.

OBLONG Ob"long, n.

Defn: 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.

OBLONGATA Ob`lon*ga"ta, n. Etym: [NL.] (Anat.)

Defn: The medulla oblongata. B. G. Wilder.

OBLONGATAL Ob"lon*ga"tal, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the medulla oblongata; medullar.

OBLONGISH Ob"long*ish, a.

Defn: Somewhat oblong.

OBLONGLY Ob"long*ly, adv.

Defn: In an oblong form.

OBLONGNESS Ob"long*ness, n.

Defn: State or quality of being oblong.

OBLONG-OVATE Ob"long-o"vate, a.

Defn: Between oblong and ovate, but inclined to the latter.

OBLONGUM Ob*lon"gum, n.; pl. Oblonga. Etym: [NL. See Oblong.] (Geom.)

Defn: 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.

OBLOQUIOUS Ob*lo"qui*ous, a.

Defn: Containing obloquy; reproachful [R.] Naunton.

OBLOQUY Ob"lo*quy, n. Etym: [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 yuor 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.

OBLUCTATION Ob`luc*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. oblictutio, fr. obluctari to struggle against.]

Defn: A struggle against; resistance; opposition. [Obs.] Fotherby.

OBMUTESCENCE Ob`mu*tes"cence, n. Etym: [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.

OBNOXIOUS Ob*nox"ious, a. Etym: [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.

OBNUBILATE Ob*nu"bi*late, v. t. Etym: [L. obnubilatus, p.p. of obnubilare to obscure. See Ob-, and Nubilate.]

Defn: To cloud; to obscure. [Obs.] Burton. -- Ob*nu"bi*la"tion, n. [Obs.] Beddoes.

OBOE O"boe, n. Etym: [It., fr. F. hautbois. See Hautboy.] (Mus.)

Defn: 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 Etym: [It., lit., oboe of love], and Oboe di caccia Etym: [It., lit., oboe of the chase], are names of obsolete modifications of the oboe, often found in the scores of Bach and Handel.

OBOIST O"bo*ist, n.

Defn: A performer on the oboe.

OBOLARY Ob"o*la*ry, a. Etym: [See Obolus.]

Defn: Possessing only small coins; impoverished. [R.] Lamb.

OBOLE Ob"ole, n. Etym: [Cf.F. obole. See Obolus.] (Old Pharm.)

Defn: A weight of twelve grains; or, according to some, of ten grains, or half a scruple. [Written also obol.]

OBOLIZE Ob"o*lize, v. t.

Defn: See Obelize.

OBOLO Ob"o*lo, n. Etym: [Cf. Obolus.]

Defn: A copper coin, used in the Ionian Islands, about one cent in value.

OBOLUS Ob"o*lus, n.;pl. Oboli. Etym: [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.

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

Defn: Obversely omegoid.

OBOVAL Ob*o"val, a. Etym: [Pref. ob- + oval.]

Defn: Obovate.

OBOVATE Ob*o"vate. a. Etym: [Pref. ob- + ovate.] (Bot.)

Defn: Inversely ovate; ovate with the narrow end downward; as, an obovate leaf.

OBREPTION Ob*rep"tion, n. Etym: [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.

2. (Scots Law)

Defn: The obtaining gifts of escheat by fraud or surprise. Bell.

OBREPTITIOUS Ob`rep*ti"tious, a. Etym: [L. obreptitus. See Obreption.]

Defn: Done or obtained by surprise; with secrecy, or by concealment of the truth. [R.] Cotgrave.

OBROGATE Ob"ro*gate, v. t. Etym: [L. obrogatus, p.p. of obrogare to obrogate.]

Defn: To annul indirectly by enacting a new and contrary law, instead of by expressly abrogating or repealing the old one. [Obs.] Bailey.

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

OBSCENE Ob*scene", a/ Etym: [L. obscenus, obscaenus, obscoenus, ill looking, filthy, obscene: cf. F. obscéne.]

1. Offensive to chastity or modesty; expressing of 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 bobscene 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.

OBSCENITY Ob*scen"i*ty, n.; pl. Obscenities. Etym: [L. obscentias: cf.F. obscénité.]

Defn: 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.

OBSCURANT Ob*scur"ant, n. Etym: [L. obscurans, p.pr. of obscurare to obscure.]

Defn: One who obscures; one who prevents enlightenment or hinders the progress of knowledge and wisdom. Coleridge.

OBSCURANTISM Ob*scur"ant*ism, n.

Defn: The system or the principles of the obscurants. C. Kingsley.

OBSCURANTIST Ob*scur"ant*ist, n.

Defn: Same as Obscurant. Ed. Rev.

OBSCURATION Ob`scu*ra"tion, n. Etym: [L. obscurativ: cf.F. obscuration. See Obscure, v. t. ]

Defn: The act or operation of obscuring; the state of being obscured; as, the obscuration of the moon in an eclipse. Sir J. Herschel.

OBSCURE Ob*scure", a. [Compar. Obscurer; superl. Obscurest.] Etym: [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.

OBSCURE Ob*scure", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obscured; p. pr. & vb. n. Obscuring.] Etym: [L. obscurare, fr. obscurus: cf. OF. obscurer. See Obscure, a.]

Defn: 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.

OBSCURE Ob*scure", v. i.

Defn: To conceal one's self; to hide; to keep dark. [Obs.] How! There's bad news. I must obscure, and hear it. Beau. & Fl.

OBSCURE Ob*scure", n.

Defn: Obscurity. [Obs.] Milton.

OBSCURELY Ob*scure"ly, adv.

Defn: In an obscure manner. Milton.

OBSCUREMENT Ob*scure"ment, n.

Defn: The act of obscuring, or the state of being obscured; obscuration. Pomfret.

OBSCURENESS Ob*scure"ness, n.

Defn: Obscurity. Bp. Hall.

OBSCURER Ob*scur"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, obscures.

OBSCURITY Ob*scu"ri*ty, n. Etym: [L. obscuritas: cf. F. obscurité.]

Defn: 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.

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

Defn: To beseech; to supplicate; to implore. [R.]. Cockerman.

OBSECRATION Ob"se*cra"tion, n. Etym: [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.)

Defn: A figure of speech in which the orator implores the assistance of God or man.

OBSECRATORY Ob"se*cra*to*ry, a.

Defn: Expressing, or used in, entreaty; supplicatory. [R.] Bp. Hall.

OBSEQUENT Ob"se*quent, a. Etym: [L. obsequens, p.pr. of obsequi; ob (see Ob-) + sequi. See Sequence.]

Defn: Obedient; submissive; obsequious. [Obs.] Fotherby.

OBSEQUIENCE Ob*se"qui*ence, n.

Defn: Obsequiousness. [R.]

OBSEQUIES Ob"se*quies, n.pl.

Defn: See Obsequy.

OBSEQUIOUS Ob*se"qui*ous, a. Etym: [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. Etym: [See Obsequy.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to obsequies; funereal. [R.] "To do obsequious sorrow." Shak.

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

OBSEQUIOUSLY 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.

OBSEQUIOUSNESS Ob*se"qui*ous*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being obsequious. South.

OBSEQUY Ob"se*quy, n.; pl. Obsequies. Etym: [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.

OBSERVABLE Ob*serv"a*ble, a. Etym: [L. observabilis: cf.F. observable.]

Defn: 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.

OBSERVANCE Ob*serv"ance, n. Etym: [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.

OBSERVANCY Ob*serv"an*cy, n.

Defn: Observance. [Obs.]

OBSERVANDUM Ob*ser`van"dum, n.; pl. Observanda. Etym: [L.]

Defn: A thing to be observed. Swift.

OBSERVANT Ob*serv"ant, a. Etym: [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.

OBSERVANT 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.)

Defn: An Observantine.

OBSERVANTINE Ob`ser*van"tine, n. Etym: [Fr. observantin.] (R.C.Ch.)

Defn: 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.

OBSERVANTLY Ob*serv"ant*ly, adv.

Defn: In an observant manner.

OBSERVATION Ob`ser*va"tion, n. Etym: [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.

Note: 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.

OBSERVATIONAL Ob`ser*va"tion*al, a.

Defn: Of a pertaining to observation; consisting of, or containing, observations. Chalmers.

OBSERVATION CAR Ob`ser*va"tion car.

Defn: A railway passenger car made so as to facilitate seeing the scenery en route; a car open, or with glass sides, or with a kind of open balcony at the rear.

OBSERVATIVE Ob*serv"a*tive, a.

Defn: Observing; watchful.

OBSERVATOR Ob"ser*va`tor, n. Etym: [L.]

1. One who observes or takes notice. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.

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

OBSERVATORY Ob*serv"a*to*ry, n.; pl. Observatories. Etym: [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.)

Defn: A lookout on a flank of a battery whence an officer can note the range and effect of the fire. Farrow.

OBSERVE Ob*serve", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Observed; p. pr. & vb. n. Observing.] Etym: [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.

OBSERVE 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.

OBSERVER 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.

OBSERVERSHIP Ob*serv"er*ship, n.

Defn: The office or work of an observer.

OBSERVING Ob*serv"ing, a.

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

OBSESS Ob*sess", v. t. Etym: [L. obsessus, p.p. of obsidere to besiege; ob (see Ob-) + sedere to sit.]

Defn: To besiege; to beset. Sir T. Elyot.

OBSESSION Ob*ses"sion, n. Etym: [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.

OBSIDIAN Ob*sid"i*an, n. Etym: [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.)

Defn: A kind of glass produced by volcanoes. It is usually of a black color, and opaque, except in thin splinters.

Note: 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.

OBSIDIONAL Ob*sid"i*o*nal, a. Etym: [L. obsidionalis, from obsidio a siege, obsidere to besiege: cf.F. obsidional. See Obsess.]

Defn: 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.

OBSIGILLATION Ob*sig`il*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. ob (see Ob-) + sigillum a seal.]

Defn: A sealing up. [Obs.] Maunder.

OBSIGN Ob*sign", v. t. Etym: [See Obsignate.]

Defn: To seal; to confirm, as by a seal or stamp. [Obs.] Bradford.

OBSIGNATE Ob*sig"nate, v. t. Etym: [L. obsignated, p.p. of obsignare to seal. See Ob-, and Sign.]

Defn: To seal; to ratify. [Obs.] Barrow.

OBSIGNATION Ob`sig*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. obsignatio.]

Defn: 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.

OBSIGNATORY Ob*sig"na*to*ry, a.

Defn: Ratifying; confirming by sealing. [Obs.] Samuel Ward (1643)

OBSOLESCE Ob`so*lesce", v. i. Etym: [L. obsolescere. See Obsolescent.]

Defn: To become obsolescent. [R.] Fitzed. Hall.

OBSOLESCENCE Ob`so*les"cence, n. Etym: [See Obsolescent.]

Defn: The state of becoming obsolete.

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

Defn: Going out of use; becoming obsolete; passing into desuetude.

OBSOLETE Ob"so*lete, a. Etym: [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.)

Defn: Not very distinct; obscure; rudimental; imperfectly developed; abortive.

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

OBSOLETE Ob"so*lete, v. i.

Defn: To become obsolete; to go out of use. [R.] Fitzed. Hall.

OBSOLETELY Ob"so*lete*ly, adv.

Defn: In an obsolete manner.

OBSOLETENESS Ob"so*lete*ness, n.

1. The state of being obsolete, or no longer used; a state of desuetude.

2. (Biol.)

Defn: Indistinctness; want of development.

OBSOLETISM Ob"so*let*ism, n.

Defn: A disused word or phrase; an archaism. Fitzed. Hall.

OBSTACLE Ob"sta*cle, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. obstaculum, fr. obstare to withstand, oppose; ob (see Ob-) + stare to stand. See Stand. and cf. Oust, v.]

Defn: 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.

OBSTANCY Ob"stan*cy, n. Etym: [L. obstantia, fr. obstans, p.pr. of obstare. See Obstacle.]

Defn: Opposition; impediment; obstruction. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

OBSTETRIC; OBSTETRICAL Ob*stet"ric, Ob*stet"ric*al, a. Etym: [L. obstetricius, fr. obstetrix, -icis, a midwife, fr. obstare to stand before: cf.F. obstétrique. See Obstacle.]

Defn: 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.

OBSTETRICATE Ob*stet"ri*cate, v. i. Etym: [L. obstetricatus, p.p. of obstetricare, fr. obstetrix.]

Defn: To perform the office of midwife. [Obs.] "Nature does obstetricate." Evelyn.

OBSTETRICATE Ob*stet"ri*cate, v. t.

Defn: To assist as a midwife. [Obs.] E. Waterhouse.

OBSTETRICATION Ob*stet"ri*ca"tion, n.

Defn: The act of assisting as a midwife; delivery. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

OBSTETRICIAN Ob`ste*tri"cian, n.

Defn: One skilled in obstetrics; an accoucheur.

OBSTETRICIOUS Ob`ste*tri"cious, a. Etym: [See Obstetric.]

Defn: Serving to assist childbirth; obstetric; hence, facilitating any bringing forth or deliverance. [Obs.] Yet is all human teaching but maieutical, or obstetricious. Cudworth.

OBSTETRICS Ob*stet"rics, n. Etym: [Cf. F. obstétrique. See Obstetric.]

Defn: The science of midwifery; the art of assisting women in parturition, or in the trouble incident to childbirth.

OBSTETRICY Ob*stet"ri*cy, n.

Defn: Obstetrics. [R.] Dunglison.

OBSTINACY Ob"sti*na*cy, n. Etym: [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.

OBSTINATE Ob"sti*nate, a. Etym: [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.

OBSTINATION Ob`sti*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. obstinatio.]

Defn: Obstinacy; stubbornness. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

OBSTIPATION Ob`sti*pa"tion, n. Etym: [L. obstipatio a close pressure; ob (see Ob- ) + stipare to press.]

1. The act of stopping up, as a passage. [Obs.] Bailey.

2. (Med.)

Defn: Extreme constipation. [Obs.] Hooper.

OBSTREPEROUS Ob*strep"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. obstreperus, from obstrepere to make a noise at; ob (see Ob-) + strepere to make a noise.]

Defn: 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.

OBSTRICTION Ob*stric"tion, n. Etym: [L. obstringere, obstrictum, to bind to or about.]

Defn: The state of being constrained, bound, or obliged; that which constrains or obliges; obligation; bond. [R.] Milton.

OBSTRINGE Ob*stringe", v. t. Etym: [See Obstriction.]

Defn: To constrain; to put under obligation. [R.] Bp. Gardiner.

OBSTRUCT Ob*struct", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obstructed; p. pr. & vb. n. Obstructing.] Etym: [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.

OBSTRUCTER Ob*struct"er, n.

Defn: One who obstructs or hinders.

OBSTRUCTION Ob*struc"tion, n. Etym: [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.

OBSTRUCTIONISM Ob*struc"tion*ism, n.

Defn: The act or the policy of obstructing progress. Lond. Lit. World.

OBSTRUCTIONIST Ob*struc"tion*ist, n.

Defn: One who hinders progress; one who obstructs business, as in a legislative body. -- a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to obstructionists. [Recent]

OBSTRUCTIVE Ob*struct"ive, a. Etym: [Cf.F. obstrictif.]

Defn: Tending to obstruct; presenting obstacles; hindering; causing impediment. -- Ob*struct"ive*ly, adv.

OBSTRUCTIVE Ob*struct"ive, n.

Defn: An obstructive person or thing.

OBSTRUENT Ob"stru*ent, a. Etym: [L. obstruens, p.pr. of obstruere. See Obstruct.]

Defn: Causing obstruction; blocking up; hindering; as, an obstruent medicine. Johnson.

OBSTRUENT Ob"stru*ent, n.

Defn: Anything that obstructs or closes a passage; esp., that which obstructs natural passages in the body; as, a medicine which acts as an obstruent.

OBSTUPEFACTION Ob*stu`pe*fac"tion, n. Etym: [L. obstuperfacere to stupefy.]

Defn: See Stupefaction. [Obs.] Howell.

OBSTUPEFACTIVE Ob*stu`pe*fac"tive, a.

Defn: Stupefactive. [Obs.]

OBSTUPEFY Ob*stu"pe*fy, v. t. Etym: [Cf.L. obstupefacere. See Ob-, and Stupefy.]

Defn: See Stupefy. [Obs.]

OBTAIN Ob*tain", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtained; p. pr. & vb. n. Obtaining.] Etym: [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.

OBTAIN 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.

OBTAINABLE Ob*tain"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being obtained.

OBTAINER Ob*tain"er, n.

Defn: One who obtains.

OBTAINMENT Ob*tain"ment, n.

Defn: The act or process of obtaining; attainment. Milton.

OBTECTED Ob*tect"ed, a. Etym: [L. obtectus, p.p. of obtegere to cover over.]

1. Covered; protected. [Obs.]

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Covered with a hard chitinous case, as the pupa of certain files.

OBTEMPER Ob*tem"per, v. t. & i. Etym: [See Obtemperate.] (Scots Law)

Defn: To obey (a judgment or decree).

OBTEMPERATE Ob*tem"per*ate, v. t. Etym: [L. obtemperare, obtemperatum to obey.]

Defn: To obey. [Obs.] Johnson.

OBTEND Ob*tend", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtended; p. pr. & vb. n. Obtending.] Etym: [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

OBTENEBRATION Ob*ten`e*bra"tion, n. Etym: [L. obtenebrate to make dark.]

Defn: 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.

OBTENSION Ob*ten"sion, n. Etym: [L. obtentio. See Obtend.]

Defn: The act of obtending. [Obs.] Johnson.

OBTEST Ob*test", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtested; p. pr. & vb. n. Obtesting.] Etym: [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.]

OBTEST Ob*test", v. i.

Defn: To protest. [R.] E. Waterhouse.

OBTESTATION Ob`tes*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. obtestatio.]

Defn: The act of obtesting; supplication; protestation. [R.] Antonio asserted this with great obtestation. Evelyn.

OBTRECTATION Ob`trec*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. obtrectatio, from obtrectare to detract from through envy. See Detract.]

Defn: Slander; detraction; calumny. [Obs.] Barrow.

OBTRUDE Ob*trude", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtruded, p. pr. & vb. n. Obtruding.] Etym: [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.

OBTRUDE Ob*trude", v. i.

Defn: 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.

OBTRUDER Ob*trud"er, n.

Defn: One who obtrudes. Boyle.

OBTRUNCATE Ob*trun"cate, v. t. Etym: [L. obtruncatus, p.p. of obtruncare.]

Defn: To deprive of a limb; to lop. [R.]

OBTRUNCATION Ob`trun*ca"tion, n. Etym: [L. obtruncatio.]

Defn: The act of lopping or cutting off. [R.] Cockeram.

OBTRUSION Ob*tru"sion, n. Etym: [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.

OBTRUSIONIST Ob*tru"sion*ist, n.

Defn: One who practices or excuses obtrusion. [R.] Gent. Mag.

OBTRUSIVE Ob*tru"sive, a.

Defn: 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.

OBTUND Ob*tund", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtunded; p. pr. & vb. n. Obtunding.] Etym: [L. obtundere, obtusum; ob (see Ob-) + tundere to strike or beat. See Stutter.]

Defn: 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.

OBTUNDENT Ob*tund"ent, n. Etym: [L. obtundens, p.pr. of obtundere.] (Med.)

Defn: A substance which sheathes a part, or blunts irritation, usually some bland, oily, or mucilaginous matter; -- nearly the same as demulcent. Forsyth.

OBTUNDER Ob*tund"er, n. (Med.)

Defn: That which obtunds or blunts; especially, that which blunts sensibility.

OBTURATE Ob"tu*rate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obturated; p. pr. & vb. n. Obturating.] [L. obturatus; p.p. of obturare.]

Defn: To stop or close, as an opening; specif., (Ordnance),

Defn: to stop (a gun breech) so as to prevent the escape of gas in firing.

OBTURATION Ob`tu*ra"tion, n. Etym: [L. obturare to stop up: cf.F. obturation.]

Defn: The act of stopping up, or closing, an opening. "Deaf by an outward obturation." Bp. Hall.

OBTURATOR Ob"tu*ra`tor, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. obturare to stop up: cf.F. obturateur.]

1. That which closes or stops an opening.

2. (Surg.)

Defn: An apparatus designed to close an unnatural opening, as a fissure of the palate.

OBTURATOR Ob"tu*ra`tor, a. (Anat.)

Defn: 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.

OBTUSANGULAR Ob*tus"an`gu*lar, a.

Defn: See Obstuseangular.