obscene Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite designed to incite to indecency or lust
    • the dance often becomes flagrantly obscene"-Margaret Mead
  2. adjective satellite offensive to the mind
    abhorrent; detestable; repulsive; repugnant.
    • an abhorrent deed
    • the obscene massacre at Wounded Knee
    • morally repugnant customs
    • repulsive behavior
    • the most repulsive character in recent novels
  3. adjective satellite suggestive of or tending to moral looseness
    lewd; salacious; raunchy.
    • lewd whisperings of a dirty old man
    • an indecent gesture
    • obscene telephone calls
    • salacious limericks

WordNet

Ob*scene" adjective
Etymology
L. obscenus, obscaenus, obscoenus, ill looking, filthy, obscene: cf. F. obscéne.
Definitions
  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. 2 illegible chars; "bands"?
    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.

Webster 1913