2. (Scots Law) The obtaining gifts of escheat by fraud or surprise. Bell.
Obreptitious
(Ob`rep*ti"tious) a. [L. obreptitus. See Obreption.] Done or obtained by surprise; with
secrecy, or by concealment of the truth. [R.] Cotgrave.
Obrogate
(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.
Obrok
(||Ob"rok) n. [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. [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 bds 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.
Obscenity
(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. Obscurant
(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.
Obscurantism
(Ob*scur"ant*ism) n. The system or the principles of the obscurants. C. Kingsley.
Obscurantist
(Ob*scur"ant*ist), n. Same as Obscurant. Ed. Rev.
Obscuration
(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.
Obscure
(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.
