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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   Page 990

                                  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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   Page 991

                                    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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   Page 992

                                    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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   Page 994

                                   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