01 a. Offensive to chastity or modesty; expressing or presenting to the mind or view something which delicacy, purity, and decency forbid to be e…
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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.
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2.
Foul; fifthy; disgusting.“A girdle foul with grease binds his obscene attire.” — Dryden (Aeneid, vi. 417).
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Inauspicious; ill-omened.[R.]“At the cheerful light, The groaning ghosts and birds obscene take flight.” — Dryden.