Unabridged Dictionary - Letter O
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O
O (?).
1. O, the fifteenth letter of the English alphabet, derives its form,
value, and name from the Greek O, through the Latin. The letter came
into the Greek from the Ph&oe;nician, which possibly derived it
ultimately from the Egyptian. Etymologically, the letter o is most
closely related to a, e, and u; as in E. bone, AS. b\'ben; E. stone,
AS. st\'ben; E. broke, AS. brecan to break; E. bore, AS. beran to
bear; E. dove, AS. d&umac;fe; E. toft, tuft; tone, tune; number, F.
nombre. The letter o has several vowel sounds, the principal of which
are its long sound, as in bone, its short sound, as in nod, and the
sounds heard in the words orb, son, do (feod), and wolf (book). In
connection with the other vowels it forms several digraphs and
diphthongs. See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 107-129.
2. Among the ancients, O was a mark of triple time, from the notion
that the ternary, or number 3, is the most perfect of numbers, and
properly expressed by a circle, the most perfect figure. O was also
anciently used to represent 11: with a dash over it (), 11,000.
O
O (?), n.; pl. O's OR Oes (.
1. The letter O, or its sound. "Mouthing out his hollow oes and aes."
Tennyson.
2. Something shaped like the letter O; a circle or oval. "This wooden
O [Globe Theater]". Shak.
3. A cipher; zero. [R.]
Thou art an O without a figure. Shak.
O'.
O'. [Ir. o a descendant.] A prefix to Irish family names, which
signifies grandson or descendant of, and is a character of dignity;
as, O'Neil, O'Carrol.
O'
O' (?), prep. A shortened form of of or on. "At the turning o' the
tide." Shak.
O
O (?), a. [See One.] One. [Obs.] Chaucer. "Alle thre but o God." Piers
Plowman.
O
O (?), interj. An exclamation used in calling or directly addressing a
person or personified object; also, as an emotional or impassioned
exclamation expressing pain, grief, surprise, desire, fear, etc.
For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. Ps. cxix. 89.
O how love I thy law ! it is my meditation all the day. Ps. cxix.
97.
NOTE: &hand; O is frequently followed by an ellipsis and that, an
in expressing a wish: "O [I wish] that Ishmael might live before
thee !" Gen. xvii. 18; or in expressions of surprise, indignation,
or regret: "O [it is sad] that such eyes should e'er meet other
object !"
Sheridan Knowles.
NOTE: &hand; A distinction between the use of O and oh is insisted
upon by some, namely, that O should be used only in direct address
to a person or personified object, and should never be followed by
the exclamation point, while Oh (or oh) should be used in
exclamations where no direct appeal or address to an object is
made, and may be followed by the exclamation point or not,
according to the nature or construction of the sentence. Some
insist that oh should be used only as an interjection expressing
strong feeling. The form O, however, is, it seems, the one most
commonly employed for both uses by modern writers and correctors
for the press. "O, I am slain !" Shak. "O what a fair and
ministering angel !" "O sweet angel !" Longfellow.
O for a kindling touch from that pure flame ! Wordsworth.
But she is in her grave, -- and oh The difference to me !
Wordsworth.
Oh for a lodge in some vast wilderness ! Cowper.
We should distinguish between the sign of the vocative and the
emotional interjection, writing O for the former, and oh for the
latter. Earle.
O dear, AND O dear me! [corrupted fr. F. O Dieu! or It. O Dio! O God!
O Dio mio! O my God! Wyman], exclamations expressive of various
emotions, but usually promoted by surprise, consternation, grief,
pain, etc.
Oad
Oad (?), n. See Woad. [Obs.] Coles.
Oaf
Oaf (?), n. [See Auf.] Originally, an elf's child; a changeling left
by fairies or goblins; hence, a deformed or foolish child; a
simpleton; an idiot.
Oafish
Oaf"ish, a. Like an oaf; simple. -- Oaf"ish*ness, n.
Oak
Oak (?), n. [OE. oke, ok, ak, AS. \'bec; akin to D. eik, G. eiche,
OHG. eih, Icel. eik, Sw. ek, Dan. eeg.]
1. (Bot.) Any tree or shrub of the genus Quercus. The oaks have
alternate leaves, often variously lobed, and staminate flowers in
catkins. The fruit is a smooth nut, called an acorn, which is more or
less inclosed in a scaly involucre called the cup or cupule. There are
now recognized about three hundred species, of which nearly fifty
occur in the United States, the rest in Europe, Asia, and the other
parts of North America, a very few barely reaching the northern parts
of South America and Africa. Many of the oaks form forest trees of
grand proportions and live many centuries. The wood is usually hard
and tough, and provided with conspicuous medullary rays, forming the
silver grain.
2. The strong wood or timber of the oak.
NOTE: &hand; Among the true oaks in America are:
Barren oak, or Black-jack, Q. nigra. -- Basket oak, Q. Michauxii. --
Black oak, Q. tinctoria: -- called also yellow or quercitron oak. --
Bur oak (see under Bur.), Q. macrocarpa; -- called also over-cup or
mossy-cup oak. -- Chestnut oak, Q. Prinus and Q. densiflora. --
Chinquapin oak (see under Chinquapin), Q. prinoides. -- Coast live
oak, Q. agrifolia, of California; -- also called enceno. -- Live oak
(see under Live), Q. virens, the best of all for shipbuilding; also,
Q. Chrysolepis, of California. -- Pin oak. Same as Swamp oak. -- Post
oak, Q. obtusifolia. -- Red oak, Q. rubra. -- Scarlet oak, Q.
coccinea. -- Scrub oak, Q. ilicifolia, Q. undulata, etc. -- Shingle
oak, Q. imbricaria. -- Spanish oak, Q. falcata. -- Swamp Spanish oak,
or Pin oak, Q. palustris. -- Swamp white oak, Q. bicolor. -- Water
oak, Q. aguatica. -- Water white oak, Q. lyrata. -- Willow oak, Q.
Phellos. Among the true oaks in Europe are: Bitter oak, OR Turkey oak,
Q. Cerris (see Cerris). -- Cork oak, Q. Suber. -- English white oak,
Q. Robur. -- Evergreen oak, Holly oak, OR Holm oak, Q. Ilex. -- Kermes
oak, Q. coccifera. -- Nutgall oak, Q. infectoria.
NOTE: &hand; Among plants called oak, but not of the genus Quercus,
are:
African oak, a valuable timber tree (Oldfieldia Africana). --
Australian, OR She, oak, any tree of the genus Casuarina (see
Casuarina). -- Indian oak, the teak tree (see Teak). -- Jerusalem oak.
See under Jerusalem. -- New Zealand oak, a sapindaceous tree
(Alectryon excelsum). -- Poison oak, the poison ivy. See under Poison.
-- Silky, OR Silk-bark, oak, an Australian tree (Grevillea robusta).
Green oak, oak wood colored green by the growth of the mycelium of
certain fungi. -- Oak apple, a large, smooth, round gall produced on
the leaves of the American red oak by a gallfly (Cynips confluens). It
is green and pulpy when young. -- Oak beauty (Zo\'94l.), a British
geometrid moth (Biston prodromaria) whose larva feeds on the oak. --
Oak gall, a gall found on the oak. See 2d Gall. -- Oak leather (Bot.),
the mycelium of a fungus which forms leatherlike patches in the
fissures of oak wood. -- Oak pruner. (Zo\'94l.) See Pruner, the
insect. -- Oak spangle, a kind of gall produced on the oak by the
insect Diplolepis lenticularis. -- Oak wart, a wartlike gall on the
twigs of an oak. -- The Oaks, one of the three great annual English
horse races (the Derby and St. Leger being the others). It was
instituted in 1779 by the Earl of Derby, and so called from his
estate. -- To sport one's oak, to be "not at home to visitors,"
signified by closing the outer (oaken) door of one's rooms. [Cant,
Eng. Univ.]
Oaken
Oak"en (?), a. [AS. \'becen.] Made or consisting of oaks or of the
wood of oaks. "In oaken bower." Milton.
Oaken timber, wherewith to build ships. Bacon.
Oaker
Oak"er (?), n. See Ocher. [Obs.] Spenser.
Oakling
Oak"ling (?), n. A young oak. Evelyn.
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Oakum
Oak"um (?), n. [AS. \'becumba; pref. er-, Goth. us-, orig. meaning,
out) + cemban to comb, camb comb. See Comb.]
1. The material obtained by untwisting and picking into loose fiber
old hemp ropes; -- used for calking the seams of ships, stopping
leaks, etc.
2. The coarse portion separated from flax or hemp in nackling. Knight.
White oakum, that made from untarred rope.
Oaky
Oak"y (?), n. Resembling oak; strong. Bp. Hall.
Oar
Oar (?), n [AS. \'ber; akin to Icel. \'ber, Dan. aare, Sw. \'86ra;
perh. akin to E. row, v. Cf. Rowlock.]
1. An implement for impelling a boat, being a slender piece of timber,
usually ash or spruce, with a grip or handle at one end and a broad
blade at the other. The part which rests in the rowlock is called the
loom.
NOTE: &hand; An oar is a kind of long paddle, which swings about a
kind of fulcrum, called a rowlock, fixed to the side of the boat.
2. An oarsman; a rower; as, he is a good car.
3. (Zo\'94l.) An oarlike swimming organ of various invertebrates.
Oar cock (Zo\'94l), the water rail. [Prov. Eng.] -- Spoon oar, an oar
having the blade so curved as to afford a better hold upon the water
in rowing. -- To boat the oars, to cease rowing, and lay the oars in
the boat. -- To feather the oars. See under Feather., v. t. -- To lie
on the oars, to cease pulling, raising the oars out of water, but not
boating them; to cease from work of any kind; to be idle; to rest. --
To muffle the oars, to put something round that part which rests in
the rowlock, to prevent noise in rowing. -- To put in one's oar, to
give aid or advice; -- commonly used of a person who obtrudes aid or
counsel not invited. -- To ship the oars, to place them in the
rowlocks. -- To toss the oars, To peak the oars, to lift them from the
rowlocks and hold them perpendicularly, the handle resting on the
bottom of the boat. -- To trail oars, to allow them to trail in the
water alongside of the boat. -- To unship the oars, to take them out
of the rowlocks.
Oar
Oar, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Oared (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Oaring.] To
row. "Oared himself." Shak.
Oared with laboring arms. Pope.
Oared
Oared (?), a.
1. Furnished with oars; -- chiefly used in composition; as, a
four-oared boat.
2. (Zo\'94l.) (a) Having feet adapted for swimming. (b) Totipalmate;
-- said of the feet of certain birds. See Illust. of Aves.
Oared shrew (Zo\'94l.), an aquatic European shrew (Crossopus
ciliatus); -- called also black water shrew.
Oatcake
Oat"cake (?), n. A cake made of oatmeal.
Oaten
Oat"en (?), a.
1. Consisting of an oat straw or stem; as, an oaten pipe. Milton.
2. Made of oatmeal; as, oaten cakes.
Oath
Oath (?), n.; pl. Oaths (#). [OE. othe, oth, ath, AS. \'be; akin to D.
eed, OS. \'c7, G. eid, Icel. ei, Sw. ed, Dan. eed, Goth. ai; cf. OIr.
oeth.]
1. A solemn affirmation or declaration, made with a reverent appeal to
God for the truth of what is affirmed. "I have an oath in heaven"
Shak.
An oath of secrecy for the concealing of those [inventions] which
we think fit to keep secret. Bacon.
2. A solemn affirmation, connected with a sacred object, or one
regarded as sacred, as the temple, the altar, the blood of Abel, the
Bible, the Koran, etc.
3. (Law) An appeal (in verification of a statement made) to a superior
sanction, in such a form as exposes the party making the appeal to an
indictment for perjury if the statement be false.
4. A careless and blasphemous use of the name of the divine Being, or
anything divine or sacred, by way of appeal or as a profane
exclamation or ejaculation; an expression of profane swearing. "A
terrible oath" Shak.
Oathable
Oath"a*ble (?), a. Capable of having an oath administered to. [Obs.]
Shak.
Oathbreaking
Oath"break`ing (?), n. The violation of an oath; perjury. Shak
Oatmeal
Oat"meal` (?), n.
1. Meal made of oats. Gay.
2. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Panicum; panic grass.
Ob-
Ob- (?). [L. ob, prep. Cf. Epi-.] A prefix signifying to, toward,
before, against, reversely, etc.; also, as a simple intensive; as in
oblige, to bind to; obstacle, something standing before; object, lit.,
to throw against; obovate, reversely, ovate. Ob- is commonly
assimilated before c, f, g, and p, to oc-, of-, og-, and op-.
Obcompressed
Ob"com*pressed" (?). a. [Pref. ob- + compressed.] Compressed or
flattened antero-posteriorly, or in a way opposite to the usual one.
Obconic, Obconical
Ob*con"ic (?), Ob*con"ic*al (?), a. [Pref. ob- + conic, conical.]
Conical, but having the apex downward; inversely conical.
Obcordate
Ob*cor"date (?), a. [Pref. ob- + cordate.] Heart-shaped, with the
attachment at the pointed end; inversely cordate: as, an obcordate
petal or leaf.
Obdiplostemonous
Ob*dip`lo*stem"o*nous (?), a. [Pref. ob- + diplostemonous.] (Bot.)
Having twice as many stamens as petals, those of the outer set being
opposite the petals; -- said of flowers. Gray.
Obdiplostemony
Ob*dip"lo*stem"o*ny (?), n. (Bot.) The condition of being
obdiplostemonous.
Obdormition
Ob"dor*mi"tion (?), n. [L. obdormire to fall asleep.] Sleep. [Obs.]
Bp. Hall.
Obduce
Ob*duce" (?), v. t. [L. obducere, obductum; ob (see Ob-) + ducere to
lead.] To draw over, as a covering. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.
Obduct
Ob*duct" (, v. t. [See Obduce.] To draw over; to cover. [Obs.] Sir T.
Browne.
Obduction
Ob*duc"tion (?), n. [L.obductio.] .The act of drawing or laying over,
as a covering. [Obs.]
Obduracy
Ob"du*ra*cy (?), n. The duality or state of being obdurate; invincible
hardness of heart; obstinacy. "Obduracy and persistency." Shak.
The absolute completion of sin in final obduracy. South.
Obdurate
Ob"du*rate (?), a. [L. obduratus, p. p. of obdurare to harden; ob (see
Ob-)+ durare to harden, durus hard. See Dure.]
1. Hardened in feelings, esp. against moral or mollifying influences;
unyielding; hard-hearted; stubbornly wicked.
The very custom of evil makes the heart obdurate against whatsoever
instructions to the contrary. Hooker.
Art thou obdurate, flinty, hard as steel, Nay, more than flint, for
stone at rain relenteth? Shak.
2. Hard; harsh; rugged; rough; intractable. "Obdurate consonants."
Swift.
NOTE: &hand; So metimes accented on the second syllable, especially
by the older poets.
There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart. Cowper.
Syn. -- Hard; firm; unbending; inflexible; unyielding; stubborn;
obstinate; impenitent; callous; unfeeling; insensible; unsusceptible.
-- Obdurate, Callous, Hardened. Callous denotes a deadening of the
sensibilities; as. a callous conscience. Hardened implies a general
and settled disregard for the claims of interest, duty, and sympathy;
as, hardened in vice. Obdurate implies an active resistance of the
heart and will aganst the pleadings of compassion and humanity. --
Ob"du*rate*ly (#), adv. -- Ob"du*rate*ness, n.
Obdurate
Ob"du*rate (?), v. t. To harden. [Obs.]
Obduration
Ob"du*ra"tion (?), n. [L. obduratio.] A hardening of the heart;
hardness of heart. [Obs.]
Obdure
Ob*dure" (?), v. t. To harden. [Obs.] Milton.
Obdure, Obdured
Ob*dure" (?), Ob*dured" (?), a. Obdurate; hard. [Obs.]
This saw his hapless foes, but stood obdured. Milton.
Obdureness, n., Obduredness
Ob*dure"ness, n., Ob*dur"ed*ness (?), n. Hardness. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
Obbe
Ob"be (?), n. See Obi.
Obeah
O*be"ah (?). n. Same as Obi. -- a. Of or pertaining to obi; as, the
obeah man. B. Edwards.
Obedible
O*be"di*ble (?), a. Obedient. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
Obedience
O*be"di*ence (?), n. [F. ob\'82dience, L. obedientia, oboedientia. See
Obedient, and cf.Obeisance.]
1. The act of obeying, or the state of being obedient; compliance with
that which is required by authority; subjection to rightful restraint
or control.
Government must compel the obedience of individuals. Ames.
2. Words or actions denoting submission to authority; dutifulness.
Shak.
3. (Eccl.) (a) A following; a body of adherents; as, the Roman
Catholic obedience, or the whole body of persons who submit to the
authority of the pope. (b) A cell (or offshoot of a larger monastery)
governed by a prior. (c) One of the three monastic vows. Shipley. (d)
The written precept of a superior in a religious order or congregation
to a subject.
Canonical obedience. See under Canonical. -- Passive obedience. See
under Passive.
Obedienciary
O*be`di*en"ci*a*ry (?), n. One yielding obedience. [Obs.] Foxe.
Obedient
O*be"di*ent (?), a. [OF. obedient, L. obediens, oboediens, -entis.
p.pr. of obedire, oboedire, to obey. See Obey.] Subject in will or act
to authority; willing to obey; submissive to restraint, control, or
command.
And floating straight, obedient to the stream. Shak.
The chief his orders gives; the obedient band, With due observance,
wait the chief's command. Pope.
Syn. -- Dutiful; respectful; compliant; submissive.
Obediential
O*be`di*en"tial (?), a. [Cf. F. ob\'82dientiel.] According to the rule
of obedience. [R.]
An obediental subjection to the Lord of Nature. Sir M. Hale.
Obediently
O*be"di*ent*ly (?), adv. In an obedient manner; with obedience.
Obeisance
O*bei"sance (?), n. [F. ob\'82issance obedience, fr. ob\'82issant. See
Obey, and cf. Obedience, Abaisance.]
1. Obedience. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. A manifestation of obedience; an expression of difference or
respect; homage; a bow; a courtesy.
Bathsheba bowed and did obeisance unto the king. 1 Kings i. 16.
Obeisancy
O*bei"san*cy (?), n. See Obeisance. [Obs.]
Obeisant
O*bei"sant (?), a. [F. ob\'82issant, p.pr. of ob\'82ir to obey.] Ready
to obey; reverent; differential; also, servilely submissive.
Obelion
O*be"li*on (?), n. [NL., from Gr. (Anat.) The region of the skull
between the two parietal foramina where the closure of the sagittal
suture usually begins.
Obeliscal
Ob`e*lis"cal (?), a. Formed like an obelisk.
Obelisk
Ob"e*lisk (?), n. [L. obeliscus, Gr. ob\'82lisque.]
1. An upright, four-sided pillar, gradually tapering as it rises, and
terminating in a pyramid called pyramidion. It is ordinarily
monolithic. Egyptian obelisks are commonly covered with hieroglyphic
writing from top to bottom.
2. (Print.) A mark of reference; -- called also dagger [&dag;]. See
Dagger, n., 2.
Obelisk
Ob"e*lisk, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obelisked (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Obelisking.] To mark or designate with an obelisk.
Obelize
Ob"e*lize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obelized (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Obelizing (?).] [Gr. Obelus.] To designate with an obelus; to mark as
doubtful or spirituous. [R.]
Obelus
Ob"e*lus (?), n.; pl. Obeli (#). [L., fr. Gr. (Print.) A mark [thus
--, or \'f6]; -- so called as resembling a needle. In old MSS. or
editions of the classics, it marks suspected passages or readings.
Obequitate
Ob*eq"ui*tate (?), v. i. [L. obequitatus, p.p. of obequitare to ride
about.] To ride about. [Obs.] -- Ob*eq`ui*ta"tion (#), n. [Obs.]
Cockerman.
Oberon
Ob"er*on (?), n. [F., fr. OF. Auberon; prob. of Frankish origin.]
(Medi\'91val Mythol.) The king of the fairies, and husband of Titania
or Queen Mab. Shak.
Oberration
Ob`er*ra"tion (?), n. [L. oberrate to wander about.] A wandering
about. [Obs.] Jonhson.
Obese
O*bese" (?). a. [L. obesus eaten away, lean; also, that has eaten
itself fat, fat, stout, p.p. of obedere to devour; ob (see Ob-) +
edere to eat. See Eat.] Excessively corpulent; fat; fleshy.
Obeseness
O*bese"ness, n. Quality of being obese; obesity.
Obesity
O*bes"i*ty (?), n.[L. obesitas: cf.F. ob\'82sit\'82.] The state or
quality of being obese; incumbrance of flesh.
Obey
O*bey" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obeyed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obeying.]
[OE. obeyen, F. ob\'82ir, fr. L. obedire, oboedire; ob (see Ob-) +
audire to hear. See Audible, and cf. Obeisance.]
1. To give ear to; to execute the commands of; to yield submission to;
to comply with the orders of.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord. Eph. vi. 1.
Was she the God, that her thou didst obey? Milton.
2. To submit to the authority of; to be ruled by.
My will obeyed his will. Chaucer.
Afric and India shall his power obey. Dryden.
3. To yield to the impulse, power, or operation of; as, a ship obeys
her helm.
Obey
O*bey", v. i. To give obedience.
Will he obey when one commands? Tennyson.
NOTE: &hand; By so me ol d writers obey was used, as in the French
idiom, with the preposition to.
His servants ye are, to whom ye obey. Rom. vi. 16.
He commanded the trumpets to sound: to which the two brave knights
obeying, they performed their courses. Sir. P. Sidney.
Obeyer
O*bey"er (?), n. One who yields obedience. Holland.
Obeyingly
O*bey"ing*ly, adv. Obediently; submissively.
Obfirm, Obfirmate
Ob*firm" (?), Ob*firm"ate (?), v. t. [L. obfirmatus, p.p. of obfirmare
to make steadfast. See Ob-, and Firm, v. t.] To make firm; to harden
in resolution. [Obs.] Bp. Hall. Sheldon.
Obfirmation
Ob"fir*ma"tion (?), n. [LL. obfirmatio.] Hardness of heart; obduracy.
[Obs.] Jer. Taylor.
Obfuscate
Ob*fus"cate (?), a. [L. obfuscatus, p.p. of obfuscare to darken; ob
(see Ob-) + fuscare, fuscatum, to darken, from fuscus dark.]
Obfuscated; darkened; obscured. [Obs.] [Written also offuscate.] Sir.
T. Elyot.
Obfuscate
Ob*fus"cate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obfuscated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Obfuscating.] To darken; to obscure; to becloud; hence, to confuse; to
bewilder.
His head, like a smokejack, the funnel unswept, and the ideas
whirling round and round about in it, all obfuscated and darkened
over with fuliginous matter. Sterne.
Clouds of passion which might obfuscate the intellects of meaner
females. Sir. W. Scott.
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Obfuscation
Ob`fus*ca"tion (?), n. [L. obfuscatio.] The act of darkening or
bewildering; the state of being darkened. "Obfuscation of the cornea."
E. Darwin.
Obi
O"bi (?), n. [Prob. of African origin.]
1. A species of sorcery, probably of African origin, practiced among
the negroes of the West Indies. [Written also obe and obeah.] De
Quincey. B. Edwards. <-- 2. (Japanese) a belt-like sash worn around a
woman's kimono -->
2. A charm or fetich. [West Indies] B. Edwards.
Obimbricate
Ob*im"bri*cate (?), a. [Pref. ob- + imbricate.] (Bot.) Imbricated,
with the overlapping ends directed downward.
Obit
O"bit (?), n. [OF. obit, L. obitus, fr. obire to go against, to go to
meet, (sc.mortem) to die; ob (see Ob-) + ire to go. See Issue.]
1. Death; decease; the date of one's death. Wood.
2. A funeral solemnity or office; obsequies.
3. A service for the soul of a deceased person on the anniversary of
the day of his death.
The emoluments and advantages from oblations, obits, and other
sources, increased in value. Milman.
Post obit [L. post obitum]. See Post-obit.
Obiter
Ob"i*ter (?), adv. [L., on the way; ob (see Ob-) + iter a going, a
walk, way.] In passing; incidentally; by the way. Obiter dictum (Law),
an incidental and collateral opinion uttered by a judge. See Dictum,
n., 2(a).
Obitual
O*bit"u*al (?), a. [L. obitus death. See Obit.] Of or pertaining to
obits, or days when obits are celebrated; as, obitual days. Smart.
Obituarily
O*bit"u*a*ri*ly (?), adv. In the manner of an obituary.
Obiyuary
O*biy"u*a*ry (?), a. [See Obit.] Of or pertaining to the death of a
person or persons; as, an obituary notice; obituary poetry.
Obituary
O*bit"u*a*ry, n.; pl. Obituaries (#). [Cf. F. obituaire. See Obit.]
1. That which pertains to, or is called forth by, the obit or death of
a person; esp., an account of a deceased person; a notice of the death
of a person, accompanied by a biographical sketch.
2. (R.C.Ch.) A list of the dead, or a register of anniversary days
when service is performed for the dead.
Object
Ob*ject" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Objected; p. pr. & vb. n.
Objecting.] [L. objectus, p.p. of objicere, obicere, to throw or put
before, to oppose; ob (see Ob-) + jacere to throw: cf. objecter. See
Jet a shooting forth.]
1. To set before or against; to bring into opposition; to oppose.
[Obs.]
Of less account some knight thereto object, Whose loss so great and
harmful can not prove. Fairfax.
Some strong impediment or other objecting itself. Hooker.
Pallas to their eyes The mist objected, and condensed the skies.
Pope.
2. To offer in opposition as a criminal charge or by way of accusation
or reproach; to adduce as an objection or adverse reason.
He gave to him to object his heinous crime. Spencer.
Others object the poverty of the nation. Addison.
The book ... giveth liberty to object any crime against such as are
to be ordered. Whitgift.
Object
Ob*ject", v. i. To make opposition in words or argument; -- usually
followed by to. Sir. T. More.
Object
Ob"ject (?), n. [L. objectus. See Object, v. t.]
1. That which is put, or which may be regarded as put, in the way of
some of the senses; something visible or tangible; as, he observed an
object in the distance; all the objects in sight; he touched a strange
object in the dark.
2. That which is set, or which may be regarded as set, before the mind
so as to be apprehended or known; that of which the mind by any of its
activities takes cognizance, whether a thing external in space or a
conception formed by the mind itself; as, an object of knowledge,
wonder, fear, thought, study, etc.
Object is a term for that about which the knowing subject is
conversant; what the schoolmen have styled the "materia circa
quam." Sir. W. Hamilton.
The object of their bitterest hatred. Macaulay.
3. That by which the mind, or any of its activities, is directed; that
on which the purpose are fixed as the end of action or effort; that
which is sought for; end; aim; motive; final cause.<-- = goal -->
Object, beside its proper signification, came to be abusively
applied to denote motive, end, final cause.... This innovation was
probably borrowed from the French. Sir. W. Hamilton.
Let our object be, our country, our whole country, and nothing but
our country. D. Webster.
4. Sight; show; appearance; aspect. [Obs.] Shak.
He, advancing close Up to the lake, past all the rest, arose In
glorious object. Chapman.
5. (Gram.) A word, phrase, or clause toward which an action is
directed, or is considered to be directed; as, the object of a
transitive verb.
Object glass, the lens, or system of lenses, placed at the end of a
telescope, microscope, etc., which is toward the object. Its office is
to form an image of the object, which is then viewed by the eyepiece.
Called also objective. See Illust. of Microscope. -- Object lesson, a
lesson in which object teaching is made use of. -- Object staff.
(Leveling) Same as Leveling staff. -- Object teaching, a method of
instruction, in which illustrative objects are employed, each new word
or idea being accompanied by a representation of that which it
signifies; -- used especially in the kindergarten, for young children.
Object
Ob*ject" (?), a. [L. objectus, p. p.] Opposed; presented in
opposition; also, exposed. [Obs.]
Objectable
Ob*ject"a*ble (?), a. Such as can be presented in opposition; that may
be put forward as an objection. [R.]
Objectify
Ob*jec"ti*fy (?), v. t. [Object + -fy.] To cause to become an object;
to cause to assume the character of an object; to render objective. J.
D. Morell.
Objection
Ob*jec"tion (?), n. [L. objectio: cf. F. objection.]
1. The act of objecting; as, to prevent agreement, or action, by
objection. Johnson.
2. That which is, or may be, presented in opposition; an adverse
reason or argument; a reason for objecting; obstacle; impediment; as,
I have no objection to going; unreasonable objections. "Objections
against every truth." Tyndale.
3. Cause of trouble; sorrow. [Obs. or R.]
He remembers the objection that lies in his bosom, and he sighs
deeply. Jer. Taylor.
Syn. -- Exception; difficulty; doubt; scruple.
Objectionable
Ob*jec"tion*a*ble (?), a. Liable to objection; likely to be objected
to or disapproved of; offensive; as, objectionable words. --
Ob*jec"tion*a*bly, adv.
Objectist
Ob"ject*ist (?), n. One who adheres to, or is skilled in, the
objective philosophy. Ed. Rev.
Objectivate
Ob*jec"ti*vate (?), v. t. To objectify.
Objectivation
Ob*jec`ti*va"tion (?), n. Converting into an object.
Objective
Ob*jec"tive (?), a. [Cf.F. objectif.]
1. Of or pertaining to an object.
2. (Metaph.) Of or pertaining to an object; contained in, or having
the nature or position of, an object; outward; external; extrinsic; --
an epithet applied to whatever ir exterior to the mind, or which is
simply an object of thought or feeling, and opposed to subjective.
In the Middle Ages, subject meant substance, and has this sense in
Descartes and Spinoza: sometimes, also, in Reid. Subjective is used
by William of Occam to denote that which exists independent of
mind; objective, what is formed by the mind. This shows what is
meant by realitas objectiva in Descartes. Kant and Fichte have
inverted the meanings. Subject, with them, is the mind which knows;
object, that which is known; subjective, the varying conditions of
the knowing mind; objective, that which is in the constant nature
of the thing known. Trendelenburg.
Objective means that which belongs to, or proceeds from, the object
known, and not from the subject knowing, and thus denotes what is
real, in opposition to that which is ideal -- what exists in
nature, in contrast to what exists merely in the thought of the
individual. Sir. W. Hamilton.
Objective has come to mean that which has independent exostence or
authority, apart from our experience or thought. Thus, moral law is
said to have objective authority, that is, authority belonging to
itself, and not drawn from anything in our nature. Calderwood
(Fleming's Vocabulary).
3. (Gram.) Pertaining to, or designating, the case which follows a
transitive verb or a preposition, being that case in which the direct
object of the verb is placed. See Accusative, n.
NOTE: &hand; Th e ob jective ca se is fr equently us ed wi thout a
governing word, esp. in designations of time or space, where a
preposition, as at, in, on, etc., may be supplied.
My troublous dream [on] this night make me sad. Shak.
To write of victories [in or for] next year. Hudibras.
Objective line (Perspective), a line drawn on the geometrical plane
which is represented or sought to be represented. -- Objective plane
(Perspective), any plane in the horizontal plane that is represented.
-- Objective point, the point or result to which the operations of an
army are directed. By extension, the point or purpose to which
anything, as a journey or an argument, is directed. 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.) 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. In the manner or state of an object; as, a
determinate idea objectively in the mind.
Objectiveness
Ob*jec"tive*ness, n. Objectivity.
Is there such a motion or objectiveness of external bodies, which
produceth light? Sir M. Hale
Objectivity
Ob`jec*tiv"i*ty (?), n. [Cf.F. objectivit\'82.] 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.
Obectize
Ob"ect*ize (?), v. t. 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. Having no object; purposeless.
Objector
Ob*ject"or (?), n. [L., an accuser.] One who objects; one who offers
objections to a proposition or measure.
Objibways
Ob*jib"ways (?), n.pl. See Chippeways.
Objicient
Ob*jic"i*ent (?), n. [L. objiciens, p.pr. of objicere to object.] One
who makes objection; an objector. [R.] Cardinal Wiseman.
Objuration
Ob`ju*ra"tion (?), n. [L. objurare to bind by oath; ob (see Ob-) +
jurare to swear, fr. jus right.] A binding by oath. [R.] Abp.
Bramhall.
Objurgate
Ob*jur"gate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Objurgated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Objurgating.] [L.objurgatus, p.p. of objurgare to chide; ob (see Ob-)
+ jurgare to quarrel, scold, fr. jus right, court. See Jury.] To
chide; to reprove.
Objurgation
Ob`jur*ga"tion (?), n. [L. objurgatio: cf.F.objurgation.] 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. [L. objurgatorius.] 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. [Pref. ob- + lanceolate.] Lanceolate in the
reversed order, that is, narrowing toward the point of attachment more
than toward the apex.
Oblate
Ob*late" (?), a. [L. oblatus, used as p.p. of offerre to bring
forward, offer, dedicate; ob (see Ob-) + latus borne, for tlatus. See
Tolerate.]
1. (Geom.) 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. [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. The quality or state of being oblate.
Oblati
Ob*la"ti (?), n. pl. [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. [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. One who makes an offering as an act worship or
reverence. Dr. H. More.
Oblatrate
Ob*la"trate (?), v. i. [L. oblatratus, p.p. of oblatrare to bark
against.] To bark or snarl, as a dog. [Obs.]
Oblatration
Ob`la*tra"tion (?), n. The act of oblatrating; a barking or snarling.
Bp. Hall.
Oblatum
Ob*la"tum (?), n.; pl. Oblata (#). [NL. See Oblate.] (Geom.) An oblate
spheroid; a figure described by the revolution of an ellipse about its
minor axis. Cf. Oblongum.
Oblectate
Ob*lec"tate (?), v. t. [L. oblectatus, p.p. of oblectare.] To delight;
to please greatly. [Obs.]
Oblectation
Ob"lec*ta"tion (?), n. [L. oblectatio.] The act of pleasing highly;
the state of being greatly pleased; delight. [R.] Feltham.
Obligable
Ob"li*ga*ble (?), a. 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.] [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. [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) 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. [It.] See Obbligato.
Obligatorily
Ob"li*ga*to*ri*ly (?), adv. In an obligatory manner; by reason of
obligation. Foxe.
Obligatoriness
Ob"li*ga*to*ri*ness, n. The quality or state of being obligatory.
Obligatory
Ob"li*ga*to*ry (?), a. [L. obligatorius: cf.F. obligatoire.] 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 (?).] [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.
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Obligee
Ob"li*gee" (?), n. [F. oblig\'82, p.p. of obliger. See Oblige.] The
person to whom another is bound, or the person to whom a bond is
given. Blackstone.
Obligement
O*blige"ment (?), n. 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. One who, or that which, obliges. Sir H. Wotton.
Obliging
O*bli"ging, a. 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. The person who binds himself, or gives his bond to
another. Blackstone.
Obliquation
Ob`li*qua"tion (?), n. [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. [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.<-- illustr. of oblique motion, 1
bar 4/4 --> -- 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 25°. It is not now
practiced. Wilhelm. -- Oblique system of co\'94rdinates (Anal. Geom.),
a system in which the co\'94rdinate axes are oblique to each other.
Oblique
Ob*lique", n. (Geom.) 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.) 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. Having oblique angles; as, an oblique-angled
triangle.
Obliquely
Ob*lique"ly, adv. 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. Quality or state of being oblique.
Obliquity
Ob*liq"ui*ty, n.; pl. Obliquities (#). [L. obliquitas: cf. F.
obliquit\'82.]
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. [L. oblitus, p.p. pf oblinere to besmear.] 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.] [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. (Zo\'94l.) Scarcely distinct; -- applied to the
markings of insects.
Obliteration
Ob*lit`er*a"tion (?), n. [L. obliteratio: cf.F. oblit\'82ration.] The
act of obliterating, or the state of being obliterated; extinction.
Sir. M. Hale.
Obliterative
Ob*lit"er*a*tive (?), a. Tending or serving to obliterate.
Oblivion
Ob*liv"i*on (?), n. [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. [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. [L. oblocutor, obloquutor, fr. obloqui,
oblocutus, to speak against; ob (see Ob-) + loqui to speak. See
Loquacious.] A disputer; a gainsayer. [Obs.] Bale.
Oblong
Ob"long (?), a. [L. oblongus; ob (see Ob-) + longus long: cf. F.
oblong.] Having greater length than breadth, esp. when rectangular.
Oblong
Ob"long, n. 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. [NL.] (Anat.) The medulla oblongata. B. G.
Wilder.
Oblongatal
Ob"lon*ga"tal (?), a. Of or pertaining to the medulla oblongata;
medullar.
Oblongish
Ob"long*ish (?), a. Somewhat oblong.
Oblongly
Ob"long*ly, adv. In an oblong form.
Oblongness
Ob"long*ness, n. State or quality of being oblong.
Oblong-ovate
Ob"long-o"vate (?), a. Between oblong and ovate, but inclined to the
latter.
Oblongum
Ob*lon"gum (?), n.; pl. Oblonga (#). [NL. See Oblong.] (Geom.) 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. Containing obloquy; reproachful [R.] Naunton.
Obloquy
Ob"lo*quy (?), n. [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. [L. oblictutio, fr. obluctari to struggle
against.] A struggle against; resistance; opposition. [Obs.] Fotherby.
Obmutescence
Ob`mu*tes"cence (?), n. [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.
Obnoxlous
Ob*nox"lous (?), a. [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. [L. obnubilatus, p.p. of obnubilare to
obscure. See Ob-, and Nubilate.] To cloud; to obscure. [Obs.] Burton.
-- Ob*nu"bi*la"tion (#), n. [Obs.] Beddoes.
Oboe
O"boe (?), n. [It., fr. F. hautbois. See Hautboy.] (Mus.) 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 [It., lit., oboe of love], and
Oboe di caccia [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. A performer on the oboe.
Obolary
Ob"o*la*ry (?), a. [See Obolus.] Possessing only small coins;
impoverished. [R.] Lamb.
Obole
Ob"ole (?), n. [Cf.F. obole. See Obolus.] (Old Pharm.) 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. See Obelize.
Obolo
Ob"o*lo (?), n. [Cf. Obolus.] A copper coin, used in the Ionian
Islands, about one cent in value.
Obolus
Ob"o*lus (?), n.;pl. Oboli (#). [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. [Pref. ob- + omegoid.] (Zo\'94l.) Obversely
omegoid.
Oboval
Ob*o"val (?), a. [Pref. ob- + oval.] Obovate.
Obovate
Ob*o"vate (?). a. [Pref. ob- + ovate.] (Bot.) Inversely ovate; ovate
with the narrow end downward; as, an obovate leaf.
Obreption
Ob*rep"tion (?), n. [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) 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. obsc\'82ne.]
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 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 (#). [L. obscentias: cf.F.
obsc\'82nit\'82.] 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.
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.] [L. obscurare, fr. obscurus: cf. OF. obscurer. See
Obscure, a.] 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.
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Obscure
Ob*scure" (?), v. i. 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. Obscurity. [Obs.] Milton.
Obscurely
Ob*scure"ly, adv. In an obscure manner. Milton.
Obscurement
Ob*scure"ment (?), n. The act of obscuring, or the state of being
obscured; obscuration. Pomfret.
Obscureness
Ob*scure"ness, n. Obscurity. Bp. Hall.
Obscurer
Ob*scur"er (?), n. One who, or that which, obscures.
Obscurity
Ob*scu"ri*ty (?), n. [L. obscuritas: cf. F. obscurit\'82.] 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.] [L. obsecratus, p.p. of obsecrare, prop., to ask on
religious grounds; ob (see Ob-) + sacrare to declare as sacred, from
sacer sacred.] To beseech; to supplicate; to implore. [R.]. Cockerman.
Obsecration
Ob"se*cra"tion (?), n. [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.) A figure of speech in which the orator implores the
assistance of God or man.
Obsecratory
Ob"se*cra*to*ry (?), a. Expressing, or used in, entreaty;
supplicatory. [R.] Bp. Hall.
Obsequent
Ob"se*quent (?), a. [L. obsequens, p.pr. of obsequi; ob (see Ob-) +
sequi. See Sequence.] Obedient; submissive; obsequious. [Obs.]
Fotherby.
Obsequience
Ob*se"qui*ence (?), n. Obsequiousness. [R.]
Obsequies
Ob"se*quies (?), n.pl. See Obsequy.
Obsequious
Ob*se"qui*ous (?), a. [L.obsequiosus, fr. obsequium compliance, fr.
obsequi, fr. obsequi: cf. F. obs\'82quieux, 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. [See Obsequy.] 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. The quality or state of being obsequious.
South.
Obsequy
Ob"se*quy (?), n.; pl. Obsequies (#). [L. obsequiae, pl., funeral
rites, fr. obsequi: cf.F. obs\'8aques. 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. [L. observabilis: cf.F. observable.] 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. [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. Observance. [Obs.]
Observandum
Ob*ser`van"dum (?), n.; pl. Observanda (#). [L.] A thing to be
observed. Swift.
Observant
Ob*serv"ant (?), a. [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.) An Observantine.
Observantine
Ob`ser*van"tine (?), n. [Fr. observantin.] (R.C.Ch.) 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. In an observant manner.
Observation
Ob`ser*va"tion (?), n. [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: &hand; Wh en a ph enomenon is sc rutinized 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. Of a pertaining to observation; consisting
of, or containing, observations. Chalmers.
Observative
Ob*serv"a*tive (?), a. Observing; watchful.
Observator
Ob"ser*va`tor (?), n. [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 (#). [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.) 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.] [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. <-- =
to make an observation -->
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. The office or work of an observer.
Observing
Ob*serv"ing, a. Giving particular attention; habitually attentive to
what passes; as, an observing person; an observing mind.<-- =
observant --> -- Ob*serv"ing*ly, adv.
Obsess
Ob*sess" (?), v. t. [L. obsessus, p.p. of obsidere to besiege; ob (see
Ob-) + sedere to sit.] To besiege; to beset. Sir T. Elyot.
Obsession
Ob*ses"sion (?), n. [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. [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.)
A kind of glass produced by volcanoes. It is usually of a black color,
and opaque, except in thin splinters.
NOTE: &hand; In a th in se ction it of ten ex hibits a fl uidal
structure, marked by the arrangement of microlites in the lines of
the flow of the molten mass.
Obsidional
Ob*sid"i*o*nal (?), a. [L. obsidionalis, from obsidio a siege,
obsidere to besiege: cf.F. obsidional. See Obsess.] 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. [L. ob (see Ob-) + sigillum a seal.] A
sealing up. [Obs.] Maunder.
Obsign
Ob*sign" (?), v. t. [See Obsignate.] To seal; to confirm, as by a seal
or stamp. [Obs.] Bradford.
Obsignate
Ob*sig"nate (?), v. t. [L. obsignated, p.p. of obsignare to seal. See
Ob-, and Sign.] To seal; to ratify. [Obs.] Barrow.
Obsignation
Ob`sig*na"tion (?), n. [L. obsignatio.] 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. Ratifying; confirming by sealing. [Obs.]
Samuel Ward (1643)
Obsolesce
Ob`so*lesce" (?), v. i. [L. obsolescere. See Obsolescent.] To become
obsolescent. [R.] Fitzed. Hall.
Obsolescence
Ob`so*les"cence (?), n. [See Obsolescent.] The state of becoming
obsolete.
Obsolescent
Ob`so*les"cent (?), a. [L. obsolescens, -entis, p.pr. of obsolescere,
to wear out gradually, to fall into disuse; ob (see Ob-) + solere to
use, be wont.] Going out of use; becoming obsolete; passing into
desuetude.
Obsolete
Ob"so*lete (?), a. [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.) 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. To become obsolete; to go out of use. [R.] Fitzed.
Hall.
Obsoletely
Ob"so*lete*ly, adv. 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.) Indistinctness; want of development.
Obsoletism
Ob"so*let*ism (?), n. A disused word or phrase; an archaism. Fitzed.
Hall.
Obstacle
Ob"sta*cle (?), n. [F., fr. L. obstaculum, fr. obstare to withstand,
oppose; ob (see Ob-) + stare to stand. See Stand. and cf. Oust, v.]
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. [L. obstantia, fr. obstans, p.pr. of obstare. See
Obstacle.] Opposition; impediment; obstruction. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
Obstetric, Obstetrical
Ob*stet"ric (?), Ob*stet"ric*al (?), a. [L. obstetricius, fr.
obstetrix, -icis, a midwife, fr. obstare to stand before: cf.F.
obst\'82trique. See Obstacle.] Of or pertaining to midwifery, or the
delivery of women in childbed; as, the obstetric art. Obstetrical toad
(Zo\'94l.), 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.
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Obstetricate
Ob*stet"ri*cate (?), v. i. [L. obstetricatus, p.p. of obstetricare,
fr. obstetrix.] To perform the office of midwife. [Obs.] "Nature does
obstetricate." Evelyn.
Obstetricate
Ob*stet"ri*cate, v. t. To assist as a midwife. [Obs.] E. Waterhouse.
Obstetrication
Ob*stet"ri*ca"tion (?), n. The act of assisting as a midwife;
delivery. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
Obstetrician
Ob`ste*tri"cian (?), n. One skilled in obstetrics; an accoucheur.
Obstetricious
Ob`ste*tri"cious (?), a. [See Obstetric.] 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. [Cf. F. obst\'82trique. See Obstetric.] The
science of midwifery; the art of assisting women in parturition, or in
the trouble incident to childbirth.
Obstetricy
Ob*stet"ri*cy (?), n. Obstetrics. [R.] Dunglison.
Obstinacy
Ob"sti*na*cy (?), n. [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. [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. [L. obstinatio.] Obstinacy; stubbornness.
[Obs.] Jer. Taylor.
Obstipation
Ob`sti*pa"tion (?), n. [L. obstipatio a close pressure; ob (see Ob-) +
stipare to press.]
1. The act of stopping up, as a passage. [Obs.] Bailey.
2. (Med.) Extreme constipation. [Obs.] Hooper.
Obstreperous
Ob*strep"er*ous (?), a. [L. obstreperus, from obstrepere to make a
noise at; ob (see Ob-) + strepere to make a noise.] 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. [L. obstringere, obstrictum, to bind to or
about.] The state of being constrained, bound, or obliged; that which
constrains or obliges; obligation; bond. [R.] Milton.
Obstringe
Ob*stringe" (?), v. t. [See Obstriction.] To constrain; to put under
obligation. [R.] Bp. Gardiner.
Obstruct
Ob*struct" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obstructed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Obstructing.] [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. One who obstructs or hinders.
Obstruction
Ob*struc"tion (?), n. [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. The act or the policy of obstructing
progress. Lond. Lit. World.
Obstructionist
Ob*struc"tion*ist, n. One who hinders progress; one who obstructs
business, as in a legislative body. -- a. Of or pertaining to
obstructionists. [Recent]
Obstructive
Ob*struct"ive (?), a. [Cf.F. obstrictif.] Tending to obstruct;
presenting obstacles; hindering; causing impediment. --
Ob*struct"ive*ly, adv.
Obstructive
Ob*struct"ive, n. An obstructive person or thing.
Obstruent
Ob"stru*ent (?), a. [L. obstruens, p.pr. of obstruere. See Obstruct.]
Causing obstruction; blocking up; hindering; as, an obstruent
medicine. Johnson.
Obstruent
Ob"stru*ent, n. 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. [L. obstuperfacere to stupefy.] See
Stupefaction. [Obs.] Howell.
Obstupefactive
Ob*stu`pe*fac"tive (?), a. Stupefactive. [Obs.]
Obstupefy
Ob*stu"pe*fy (?), v. t. [Cf.L. obstupefacere. See Ob-, and Stupefy.]
See Stupefy. [Obs.]
Obtain
Ob*tain" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtained (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Obtaining.] [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. Capable of being obtained.
Obtainer
Ob*tain"er (?), n. One who obtains.
Obtainment
Ob*tain"ment (?), n. The act or process of obtaining; attainment.
Milton.
Obtected
Ob*tect"ed (?), a. [L. obtectus, p.p. of obtegere to cover over.]
1. Covered; protected. [Obs.]
2. (Zo\'94l.) Covered with a hard chitinous case, as the pupa of
certain files.
Obtemper
Ob*tem"per (?), v. t. & i. [See Obtemperate.] (Scots Law) To obey (a
judgment or decree).
Obtemperate
Ob*tem"per*ate (?), v. t. [L. obtemperare, obtemperatum to obey.] To
obey. [Obs.] Johnson.
Obtend
Ob*tend" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtended; p. pr. & vb. n.
Obtending.] [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. [L. obtenebrate to make dark.] 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. [L. obtentio. See Obtend.] The act of obtending.
[Obs.] Johnson.
Obtest
Ob*test" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtested; p. pr. & vb. n.
Obtesting.] [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. To protest. [R.] E. Waterhouse.
Obtestation
Ob`tes*ta"tion (?), n. [L. obtestatio.] The act of obtesting;
supplication; protestation. [R.]
Antonio asserted this with great obtestation. Evelyn.
Obtrectation
Ob`trec*ta"tion (?), n. [L. obtrectatio, from obtrectare to detract
from through envy. See Detract.] Slander; detraction; calumny. [Obs.]
Barrow.
Obtrude
Ob*trude" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obtruded, p. pr. & vb. n.
Obtruding.] [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. 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. One who obtrudes. Boyle.
Obtruncate
Ob*trun"cate (?), v. t. [L. obtruncatus, p.p. of obtruncare.] To
deprive of a limb; to lop. [R.]
Obtruncation
Ob`trun*ca"tion (?), n. [L. obtruncatio.] The act of lopping or
cutting off. [R.] Cockeram.
Obtrusion
Ob*tru"sion (?), n. [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. One who practices or excuses obtrusion. [R.] Gent.
Mag.
Obtrusive
Ob*tru"sive (?), a. 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.] [L. obtundere, obtusum; ob (see Ob-) + tundere to strike
or beat. See Stutter.] 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. [L. obtundens, p.pr. of obtundere.] (Med.) 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.) That which obtunds or blunts; especially,
that which blunts sensibility.
Obturation
Ob`tu*ra"tion (?), n. [L. obturare to stop up: cf.F. obturation.] The
act of stopping up, or closing, an opening. "Deaf by an outward
obturation." Bp. Hall.
Obturator
Ob"tu*ra`tor (?), n. [NL., fr. L. obturare to stop up: cf.F.
obturateur.]
1. That which closes or stops an opening.
2. (Surg.) An apparatus designed to close an unnatural opening, as a
fissure of the palate.
Obturator
Ob"tu*ra`tor, a. (Anat.) 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. See Obstuseangular.
Obtuse
Ob*tuse" (?). a. [Compar. Obtuser (; superl. Obtusest.] [L. obtusus,
p.p. of obtundere to blunt: cf. F. obtus. See Obtund.]
1. Not pointed or acute; blunt; -- applied esp. to angles greater than
a right angle, or containing more than ninety degrees.
2. Not having acute sensibility or perceptions; dull; stupid; as,
obtuse senses. Milton.
3. Dull; deadened; as, obtuse sound. Johnson.
Obtuse-angled, obtuse-angular
Ob*tuse"-an`gled (?), ob*tuse"-an`gu*lar (?), a. Having an obtuse
angle; as, an obtuse-angled triangle.
Obtusely
Ob*tuse"ly, adv. In an obtuse manner.
Obtuseness
Ob*tuse"ness, n. State or quality of being obtuse.
Obtusion
Ob*tu"sion (, n. [L. obtusio, from obtundere to blunt. See Obtund.]
1. The act or process of making obtuse or blunt.
2. The state of being dulled or blunted; as, the obtusion of the
senses. Harvey.
Obtusity
Ob*tu"si*ty (?), n. Obtuseness. Lond. Quart. Rev.
Obumbrant
Ob*um"brant (?), a. [L.obumbrans, p.pr.] (Zo\'94l.) Overhanging; as,
obumbrant feathers.
Obumbrate
Ob*um"brate (?), v. t. [L. obumbratus, p.p. of obumbrare to
overshadow, cloud; ob + umbrare to shade.] To shade; to darken; to
cloud. [R.] Howell.
Obumbration
Ob`um*bra"tion (?), n. [L. obumbratio.] Act of darkening or obscuring.
[R.] Sir T. More.
Obuncous
Ob*un"cous (?), a. [L. obuncus; ob (see Ob-) + uncus hooked.] Hooked
or crooked in an extreme degree. Maunder.
Obvention
Ob*ven"tion (?), n. [L. obvention, fr. obvenire to come before or in
the way of, to befall; ob (see Ob-) + venire to come: cf.F.
obvention.] The act of happening incidentally; that which happens
casually; an incidental advantage; an occasional offering. [Obs.]
"Tithes and other obventions." Spenser.
Legacies bequeathed by the deaths of princes and great persons, and
other casualities and obventions. Fuller.
Obversant
Ob*vers"ant (?), a. [L. obversans, p.pr. of obversari to hover before;
ob (see Ob-) + versare to move about.] Conversant; familiar. [Obs.]
Bacon.
Obverse
Ob*verse" (?), a. [L. obversus, p.p. of obvertere. See Obvert.] Having
the base, or end next the attachment, narrower than the top, as a
leaf.
Obverse
Ob"verse (?), n. [Cf.F. obverse, obvers. See Obverse, a.]
1. The face of a coin which has the principal image or inscription
upon it; -- the other side being the reverse.
2. Anything necessarily involved in, or answering to, another; the
more apparent or conspicuous of two possible sides, or of two
corresponding things.
The fact that it [a belief] invariably exists being the obverse of
the fact that there is no alternative belief. H. Spencer.
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Obversely
Ob*verse"ly (?), adv. In an obverse manner.
Obversion
Ob*ver"sion (?), n. [L. obversio a turning towards.]
1. The act of turning toward or downward.
2. (Logic) The act of immediate inference, by which we deny the
opposite of anything which has been affirmed; as, all men are mortal;
then, by obversion, no men are immortal. This is also described as
"immediate inference by privative conception." Bain.
Obvert
Ob*vert" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obverted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Obverting.] [L. obvertere; ob (see Ob-) + vertere to turn. See Verse.]
To turn toward.
If its base be obverted towards us. I. Watts.
Obviate
Ob"vi*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obviated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Obviating.] [L. obviare; ob (see Ob-) + viare to go, fr. via way. See
Voyage.]
1. To meet in the way. [Obs.]
Not to stir a step to obviate any of a different religion. Fuller.
2. To anticipate; to prevent by interception; to remove from the way
or path; to make unnecessary; as, to obviate the necessity of going.
To lay down everything in its full light, so as to obviate all
exceptions. Woodward.
Obviation
Ob`vi*a"tion (?), n. The act of obviating, or the state of being
obviated.
Obvious
Ob"vi*ous (?), a. [L. obvius; ob (see Ob-) + via way. See Voyage.]
1. Opposing; fronting. [Obs.]
To the evil turn My obvious breast. Milton.
2. Exposed; subject; open; liable. [Obs.] "Obvious to dispute."
Milton.
3. Easily discovered, seen, or understood; readily perceived by the
eye or the intellect; plain; evident; apparent; as, an obvious
meaning; an obvious remark.
Apart and easy to be known they lie, Amidst the heap, and obvious
to the eye. Pope.
Syn. -- Plain; clear; evident. See Manifest. -- Ob"vi*ous*ly, adv. --
Ob"vi*ous-ness, n.
Obvolute, Obvoluted
Ob"vo*lute (?), Ob`vo*lu"ted (?), a. [L. obvolutus, p.p. of obvolvere
to wrap round; ob (see Ob-) + volvere to roll.] Overlapping;
contorted; convolute; -- applied primarily, in botany, to two opposite
leaves, each of which has one edge overlapping the nearest edge of the
other, and secondarily to a circle of several leaves or petals which
thus overlap.
Oby
O"by (?), n. See Obi.
Oca
O"ca (?), n. [Sp.] (Bot.) A Peruvian name for certain species of
Oxalis (O. crenata, and O. tuberosa) which bear edible tubers.
Occamy
Oc"ca*my (?), n. [A corruption of alchemy.] An alloy imitating gold or
silver. [Written also ochimy, ochymy, etc.]
Occasion
Oc*ca"sion (?), n. [F. occasion, L. occasio, fr.occidere, occasum, to
fall down; ob (see Ob-) + cadere to fall. See Chance, and cf.
Occident.]
1. A falling out, happening, or coming to pass; hence, that which
falls out or happens; occurrence; incident.
The unlooked-for incidents of family history, and its hidden
excitements, and its arduous occasions. I. Taylor.
2. A favorable opportunity; a convenient or timely chance;
convenience.
Sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me. Rom. vii. 11.
I'll take the occasion which he gives to bring Him to his death.
Waller.
3. An occurrence or condition of affairs which brings with it some
unlooked-for event; that which incidentally brings to pass an event,
without being its efficient cause or sufficient reason; accidental or
incidental cause.
Her beauty was the occasion of the war. Dryden.
4. Need; exigency; requirement; necessity; as, I have no occasion for
firearms.
After we have served ourselves and our own occasions. Jer. Taylor.
When my occasions took me into France. Burke.
5. A reason or excuse; a motive; a persuasion.
Whose manner was, all passengers to stay, And entertain with her
occasions sly. Spenser.
On occasion, in case of need; in necessity; as convenience requires;
occasionally. "That we might have intelligence from him on occasion,"
De Foe. Syn. -- Need; incident; use. See Opportunity.
Occasion
Oc*ca"sion (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Occasioned (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Occasioning.] [Cf.F. occasionner.] To give occasion to; to cause; to
produce; to induce; as, to occasion anxiety. South.
If we inquire what it is that occasions men to make several
combinations of simple ideas into distinct modes. Locke.
Occasionable
Oc*ca"sion*a*ble (?), a. Capable of being occasioned or caused.
Barrow.
Occasional
Oc*ca"sion*al (?), a. [Cf.F. occasionnel.]
1. Of or pertaining to an occasion or to occasions; occuring at times,
but not constant, regular, or systematic; made or happening as
opportunity requires or admits; casual; incidental; as, occasional
remarks, or efforts.
The... occasional writing of the present times. Bagehot.
2. Produced by accident; as, the occasional origin of a thing. [Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
Occasional cause (Metaph.), some circumstance preceding an effect
which, without being the real cause, becomes the occasion of the
action of the efficient cause; thus, the act of touching gunpowder
with fire is the occasional, but not the efficient, cause of an
explosion.
Occasionalism
Oc*ca"sion*al*ism (?), n. (Metaph.) The system of occasional causes;
-- a name given to certain theories of the Cartesian school of
philosophers, as to the intervention of the First Cause, by which they
account for the apparent reciprocal action of the soul and the body.
Occasionality
Oc*ca`sion*al"i*ty (?), n. Quality or state of being occasional;
occasional occurrence. [R.]
Occasionally
Oc*ca"sion*al*ly (?), adv. In an occasional manner; on occasion; at
times, as convenience requires or opportunity offers; not regularly.
Stewart.
The one, Wolsey, directly his subject by birth; the other, his
subject occasionally by his preferment. Fuller.
Occasionate
Oc*ca"sion*ate (?), v. t. To occasion. [Obs.]
The lowest may occasionate much ill. Dr. H. More.
Occasioner
Oc*ca"sion*er (?), n. One who, or that which, occasions, causes, or
produces. Bp. Sanderson.
Occasive
Oc*ca"sive (?), a. [L. occasivus, fr. occasus a going down, setting of
the heavenly bodies, fr. occidere to fall or down. See Occasion.] Of
or pertaining to the setting sun; falling; descending; western.
Occecation
Oc*ce*ca"tion (?), n. [L. occaecatio, fr. occaecare to make blind; ob
+ caecare to blind, fr. caecus blind.] The act of making blind, or the
state of being blind. [R.] "This inward occecation." Bp. Hall.
Occident
Oc"ci*dent (?), n. [F., fr. L. occidens, occidentis, fr. occidents,
p.pr. of occidere to fall or go down. See Occasion.] The part of the
horizon where the sun last appears in the evening; that part of the
earth towards the sunset; the west; -- opposed to orient.
Specifically, in former times, Europe as opposed to Asia; now, also,
the Western hemisphere. Chaucer.
I may wander from east to occident. Shak.
Occidental
Oc`ci*den"tal (?), a. [L. occidentalis; cf. F.occidental.]
1. Of, pertaining to, or situated in, the occident, or west; western;
-- opposed to oriental; as, occidental climates, or customs; an
occidental planet.
2. Possessing inferior hardness, brilliancy, or beauty; -- used of
inferior precious stones and gems, because those found in the Orient
are generally superior.
Occidentals
Oc`ci*den"tals (?), n.pl. (Eccl.) Western Christians of the Latin
rite. See Orientals. Shipley.
Occiduous
Oc*cid"u*ous (?), a. [L. occiduus, fr. occidere to go down.] Western;
occidental. [R.] Blount.
Occipital
Oc*cip"i*tal (?), a. [Cf. F. occipital.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to
the occiput, or back part of the head, or to the occipital bone.
Occipital bone (Anat.), the bone which forms the posterior segment of
the skull and surrounds the great foramen by which the spinal cord
leaves the cranium. In the higher vertebrates it is usually composed
of four bones, which become consolidated in the adult. -- Occipital
point (Anat.), the point of the occiput in the mesial plane farthest
from the ophryon.
Occipital
Oc*cip"i*tal, n. (Anat.) The occipital bone.
Occipito-
Oc*cip"i*to- (. [See Occiput.] A combining form denoting relation to,
or situation near, the occiput; as, occipito-axial; occipito-mastoid.
Occipitoaxial
Oc*cip`i*to*ax"i*al (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the occipital
bone and second vertebra, or axis.
Occiput
Oc"ci*put (?), n.; pl. L. Occipita (#), E. Occiputs. [L., fr. ob (see
Ob-) + caput head. See Chief.]
1. (Anat.) The back, or posterior, part of the head or skull; the
region of the occipital bone.
2. (Zo\'94l.) A plate which forms the back part of the head of
insects.
Occision
Oc*ci"sion (?), n. [L.occisio, fr. occidere, occisium, to cut down, to
kill; ob (see Ob-) + caedere to cut.] A killing; the act of killing.
[Obs.] Sir M. Hale.
Occlude
Oc*clude" (?), v. t. [L. occludere, occlusum; ob (see Ob-) + claudere
to shut.]
1. To shut up; to close. Sir T. Browne.
2. (Chem.) To take in and retain; to absorb; -- said especially with
respect to gases; as iron, platinum, and palladium occlude large
volumes of hydrogen.
Occludent
Oc*clud"ent (?), a. [L.occludens, p.pr. of occludere.] Serving to
close; shutting up. -- n. That which closes or shuts up. Sterne.
Occluse
Oc*cluse" (?), a. [L. occlusus, p.p. See Occlude.] Shut; closed.
[Obs.] Holder.
Occlusion
Oc*clu"sion (?), n. [See Occlude.]
1. The act of occluding, or the state of being occluded.
Constriction and occlusion of the orifice. Howell.
2. (Med.) The transient approximation of the edges of a natural
opening; imperforation. Dunglison.
Occlusion of gases (Chem. & Physics), the phenomenon of absorbing
gases, as exhibited by platinum, palladium, iron, or charcoal; thus,
palladium absorbs, or occludes, nearly a thousand times its own volume
of hydrogen, and in this case a chemical compound seems to be formed.
Occrustate
Oc*crus"tate (?), v. t. [See Ob-, and Crustated.] To incrust; to
harden. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.
Occult
Oc*cult" (?), a. [L. occultus, p.p. of occulere to cover up, hide; ob
(see Ob-) + a root prob.akin to E. hell: cf. F. occulte.] Hidden from
the eye or the understanding; inviable; secret; concealed; unknown.
It is of an occult kind, and is so insensible in its advances as to
escape observation. I. Taylor.
Occult line (Geom.), a line drawn as a part of the construction of a
figure or problem, but not to appear in the finished plan. -- Occult
qualities, those qualities whose effects only were observed, but the
nature and relations of whose productive agencies were undetermined;
-- so called by the schoolmen. -- Occult sciences, those sciences of
the Middle Ages which related to the supposed action or influence of
occult qualities, or supernatural powers, as alchemy, magic,
necromancy, and astrology.
Occult
Oc*cult", v. t. To eclipse; to hide from sight.
Occultation
Oc`cul*ta"tion (?), n. [L. occultatio a hiding, fr. occultare, v.
intens. of occulere: cf.F. occultation. See Occult.]
1. (Astron.) The hiding of a heavenly body from sight by the
intervention of some other of the heavenly bodies; -- applied
especially to eclipses of stars and planets by the moon, and to the
eclipses of satellites of planets by their primaries.
2. Fig.: The state of being occult.
The reappearance of such an author after those long periods of
occultation. Jeffrey.
Circle of perpetual occultation. See under Circle.
Occulted
Oc*cult"ed, a.
1. Hidden; secret. [Obs.] Shak.
2. (Astron.) Concealed by the intervention of some other heavenly
body, as a star by the moon.
Occulting
Oc*cult"ing (?), n. Same as Occultation.
Occultism
Oc*cult"ism (?), n. A certain Oriental system of theosophy. A. P.
Sinnett.
Occultist
Oc*cult"ist, n. An adherent of occultism.
Occultly
Oc*cult"ly, adv. In an occult manner.
Occultness
Oc*cult"ness, n. State or quality of being occult.
Occupancy
Oc"cu*pan*cy (?), n. [See Occupant.] The act of taking or holding
possession; possession; occupation. Title by occupancy (Law), a right
of property acquired by taking the first possession of a thing, or
possession of a thing which belonged to nobody, and appropriating it.
Blackstone. Kent.
Occupant
Oc"cu*pant (?), n. [L. occupans, p.pr. of occupare: cf. F. occupant.
See Occupy.]
1. One who occupies, or takes possession; one who has the actual use
or possession, or is in possession, of a thing.
NOTE: &hand; Th is wo rd, in law, sometimes signifies one who takes
the first possession of a thing that has no owner.
2. A prostitute. [Obs.] Marston.
Occupate
Oc"cu*pate (?), v. t. [L. occupatus, p.p. of occupare. See Occupy.] To
occupy. [Obs.] Bacon.
Occupation
Oc`cu*pa"tion (?), n. [L. occupatio: cf.F. occupation.]
1. The act or process of occupying or taking possession; actual
possession and control; the state of being occupied; a holding or
keeping; tenure; use; as, the occupation of lands by a tenant.
2. That which occupies or engages the time and attention; the
principal business of one's life; vocation; employment; calling;
trade.
Absence of occupation is not rest. Cowper.
Occupation bridge (Engin.), a bridge connecting the parts of an estate
separated by a railroad, a canal, or an ordinary road. Syn. --
Occupancy; possession; tenure; use; employment; avocation; engagement;
vocation; calling; office; trade; profession.
Occupier
Oc"cu*pi`er (?), n.
1. One who occupies, or has possession.
2. One who follows an employment; hence, a tradesman. [Obs.]
"Merchants and occupiers." Holland.
The occupiers of thy merchandise. Ezek. xxvii. 27.
Occupy
Oc"cu*py (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Occupied (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Occupying (?).] [OE. occupien, F. occuper, fr.L. occupare; ob (see
Ob-) + a word akin to capere to take. See Capacious.]
1. To take or hold possession of; to hold or keep for use; to possess.
Woe occupieth the fine [/end] of our gladness. Chaucer.
The better apartments were already occupied. W. Irving
.
2. To hold, or fill, the dimensions of; to take up the room or space
of; to cover or fill; as, the camp occupies five acres of ground. Sir
J. Herschel.
3. To possess or use the time or capacity of; to engage the service
of; to employ; to busy.
An archbishop may have cause to occupy more chaplains than six.
Eng. Statute (Hen. VIII. )
They occupied themselves about the Sabbath. 2 Macc. viii. 27.
4. To do business in; to busy one's self with. [Obs.]
All the ships of the sea, with their mariners, were in thee to
occupy the merchandise. Ezek. xxvii. 9.
Not able to occupy their old crafts. Robynson (More's Utopia).
5. To use; to expend; to make use of. [Obs.]
All the gold that was occupied for the work. Ex. xxxviii. 24.
They occupy not money themselves. Robynson (More's Utopia).
6. To have sexual intercourse with. [Obs.] Nares.
Occupy
Oc"cu*py, v. i.
1. To hold possession; to be an occupant. "Occupy till I come." Luke
xix. 13.
2. To follow business; to traffic.
Occur
Oc*cur" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Occurred(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Occurring (?).] [L. occurrere, occursum; ob (see Ob-) + currere to
run. See Course.]
1. To meet; to clash. [Obs.]
The resistance of the bodies they occur with. Bentley.
2. To go in order to meet; to make reply. [Obs.]
I must occur to one specious objection. Bentley.
3. To meet one's eye; to be found or met with; to present itself; to
offer; to appear; to happen; to take place; as, I will write if
opportunity occurs.
In Scripture, though the word heir occur, yet there is no such
thing as "heir" in our author's sense. Locke.
4. To meet or come to the mind; to suggest itself; to be presented to
the imagination or memory.
There doth not occur to me any use of this experiment for profit.
Bacon.
Occurrence
Oc*cur"rence (?), n. [Cf. F. occurrence. See Occur.]
1. A coming or happening; as, the occurence of a railway collision.
Voyages detain the mind by the perpetual occurrence and expectation
of something new. I. Watts.
2. Any incident or event; esp., one which happens without being
designed or expected; as, an unusual occurrence, or the ordinary
occurrences of life.
All the occurrence of my fortune. Shak.
Syn. -- See Event.
Occurrent
Oc*cur"rent (?), a. [L. occurrens, -entis, p.pr. of occurrere: cf.F.
occurrent. See Occur.] Occurring or happening; hence, incidental;
accidental.
Occurrent
Oc*cur"rent (?), n.
1. One who meets; hence, an adversary. [Obs.] Holland.
2. Anything that happens; an occurrence. [Obs.]
These we must meet with in obvious occurrents of the world. Sir T.
Browne.
Occurse
Oc*curse" (?), n. [L.occursus.] Same as Occursion. [Obs.] Bentley.
Occursion
Oc*cur"sion (?), n. [L.occursio. See Occur.] A meeting; a clash; a
collision. [Obs.] Boyle.
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Ocean
O"cean (?), n. [F. oc\'82an, L. oceanus, Gr.
1. The whole body of salt water which covers more than three fifths of
the surface of the globe; -- called also the sea, or great sea.
Like the odor of brine from the ocean Comes the thought of other
years. Longfellow.
2. One of the large bodies of water into which the great ocean is
regarded as divided, as the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic and
Antarctic oceans.
3. An immense expanse; any vast space or quantity without apparent
limits; as, the boundless ocean of eternity; an ocean of affairs.
Locke.
Ocean
O"cean (?), a. Of or pertaining to the main or great sea; as, the
ocean waves; an ocean stream. Milton.
Oceanic
O`ce*an"ic (?), a. [Cf.F. oc\'82anique. See Ocean.]
1. Of or pertaining to the ocean; found or formed in or about, or
produced by, the ocean; frequenting the ocean, especially mid-ocean.
Petrels are the most a\'89rial and oceanic of birds. Darwin.
2. Of or pertaining to Oceania or its inhabitants.
Oceanography
O`cean*og"ra*phy (?), n. [Ocean + -graphy.] A description of the
ocean.
Oceanology
O`cean*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Ocean + -logy.] That branch of science which
relates to the ocean.
Oceanus
O*ce"a*nus (?), n. [L., from Gr. (Gr.Myth.) The god of the great outer
sea, or the river which was believed to flow around the whole earth.
Ocellary
O*cel"la*ry (?), a. Of or pertaining to ocelli.
Ocellate