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 binds his obscene attire. Dryden.
3. Inauspicious; ill-omened.
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.