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Webster 1913 Edition

Obscenity

Ob-scen′i-ty

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Obscenities
(#)
.
[L.
obscentias
: cf. F.
obscénité
.]
That quality in words or things which presents what is offensive to chastity 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.

Definition 2024

obscenity

obscenity

English

Noun

obscenity ‎(plural obscenities)

  1. (countable) Something that is obscene.
    Martha wouldn't go into the art museum because, as she put it, "They have obscenities just sitting out, on display!"
  2. (countable) An act of obscene behaviour.
    Bestiality was outlawed as an obscenity in the strongly conservative community.
  3. (countable) Specifically, an offensive word; a profanity; a dirty word.
    Eliza couldn't stand her daughter's music; as she saw it, it was just shouted obscenities and a heavy drum beat.
  4. (uncountable) The qualities that make something obscene; lewdness, indecency, or offensive behaviour.
    The coalition of religious conservatives was campaigning against, in their view, rampant obscenity in the entertainment industry.

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