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This file is part 15 of the GNU version of
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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This dictionary was derived from the
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
Version published 1913
by the C. & G. Merriam Co.
Springfield, Mass.
Under the direction of
Noah Porter, D.D., LL.D.
and from
WordNet, a semantic network created by
the Cognitive Science Department
of Princeton University
under the direction of
Prof. George Miller
and is being updated and supplemented by
an open coalition of volunteer collaborators from
around the world.
This electronic dictionary is the starting point for an
ongoing project to develop a modern on-line comprehensive encyclopedic
dictionary, by the efforts of all individuals willing to help build a
large and freely available knowledge base. Contributions of data,
time, and effort are requested from any person willing to assist creation
of a comprehensive and organized knowledge base for free access on the
internet. Anyone willing to assist in any way in constructing such a
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Last edit January 17, 2002.
-->
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 Pho 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. dfe; E. toft, tuft; tone, tune; number, F. nombre. 1913 Webster]
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, 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
O was also anciently used to represent 11: with a dash over it (1913 Webster]
O(, n.; pl.O'sorOes(.1.The letter O, or its sound. \'bdMouthing out his hollow oes and aes.\'b8 Tennyson. 1913 Webster]
2.Something shaped like the letter O; a circle or oval. \'bdThis wooden O [Globe Theater]\'b8. Shak. 1913 Webster]
3.A cipher; zero. [R.] 1913 Webster]
Thou art an O without a figure.Shak. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
O'(, prep.A shortened form of of or on. \'bdAt the turning o' the tide.\'b8 Shak. 1913 Webster]
O(, a.[See One.]One. [Obs.] Chaucer. \'bdAlle thre but o God.\'b8 Piers Plowman. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.Ps. cxix. 89. 1913 Webster]
O how love I thy law ! it is my meditation all the day.Ps. cxix. 97. 1913 Webster]
O is frequently followed by an ellipsis and that, an in expressing a wish: \'bdO [I wish] that Ishmael might live before thee!\'b8 Gen. xvii. 18; or in expressions of surprise, indignation, or regret: \'bdO [it is sad] that such eyes should e'er meet other object!\'b8Sheridan Knowles. 1913 Webster]
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. \'bdO, I am slain!\'b8 Shak. \'bdO what a fair and ministering angel!\'b8 \'bdO sweet angel !\'b8 Longfellow. 1913 Webster]
O for a kindling touch from that pure flame!Wordsworth. 1913 Webster]
But she is in her grave, -- and oh Wordsworth. 1913 Webster]
Oh for a lodge in some vast wilderness!Cowper. 1913 Webster]
We should distinguish between the sign of the vocative and the emotional interjection, writing O for the former, and oh for the latter.Earle. 1913 Webster]
O dear, 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. 1913 Webster]
Oad(, n.See Woad. [Obs.] Coles. 1913 Webster]
Oaf(, n.[See Auf.]1.Originally, an elf's child; a changeling left by fairies or goblins; hence, a deformed or foolish child; a simpleton; an idiot. 1913 Webster]
Oaf"ish, a.Like an oaf; simple or clumsy. -- Oaf"ish*ness, n. 1913 Webster]
Oak(, n.[OE. oke, ok, ak, AS. \'bec; akin to D. eik, G. eiche, OHG. eih, Icel. eik, Sw. ek, Dan. eeg.] 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
2.The strong wood or timber of the oak. 1913 Webster]
Barren oak, or
Black-jack, Quercus nigra. --
Basket oak, Quercus Michauxii. --
Black oak, Quercus tinctoria; -- called also yellow oak or quercitron oak. --
Bur oak (see under Bur.), Quercus macrocarpa; -- called also over-cup or mossy-cup oak. --
Chestnut oak, Quercus Prinus and Quercus densiflora. --
Chinquapin oak (see under Chinquapin), Quercus prinoides. --
Coast live oak, Quercus agrifolia, of California; -- also called enceno. --
Live oak (see under Live), Quercus virens, the best of all for shipbuilding; also, Quercus Chrysolepis, of California. --
Pin oak. Same as Swamp oak. --
Post oak, Quercus obtusifolia. --
Red oak, Quercus rubra. --
Scarlet oak, Quercus coccinea. --
Scrub oak, Quercus ilicifolia, Quercus undulata, etc. --
Shingle oak, Quercus imbricaria. --
Spanish oak, Quercus falcata. --
Swamp Spanish oak, or
Pin oak, Quercus palustris. --
Swamp white oak, Quercus bicolor. --
Water oak, Quercus aquatica. --
Water white oak, Quercus lyrata. --
Willow oak, Quercus Phellos. 1913 Webster]
Among the true oaks in Europe are:
Bitter oak, or
Turkey oak, Quercus Cerris (see Cerris). --
Cork oak, Quercus Suber. --
English white oak, Quercus Robur. --
Evergreen oak,
Holly oak, or
Holm oak, Quercus Ilex. --
Kermes oak, Quercus coccifera. --
Nutgall oak, Quercus infectoria. 1913 Webster]
oak, but not of the genus Quercus, are:
African oak, a valuable timber tree (Oldfieldia Africana). --
Australian oakor
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, a shrub once not distinguished from poison ivy, but now restricted to Rhus toxicodendron or Rhus diversiloba. --
Silky oakor
Silk-bark oak, an Australian tree (Grevillea robusta). 1913 Webster]
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 \'bdnot at home to visitors,\'b8 signified by closing the outer (oaken) door of one's rooms. [Cant, Eng. Univ.] 1913 Webster]
Oak"en(?), a.[AS. \'becen.]Made or consisting of oaks or of the wood of oaks. \'bdIn oaken bower.\'b8 Milton. 1913 Webster]
Oaken timber, wherewith to build ships.Bacon. 1913 Webster]
Oak"um(, n.[AS. \'becumba; pref. (cf. G. 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. 1913 Webster]
2.The coarse portion separated from flax or hemp in nackling.Knight. 1913 Webster]
White oakum, that made from untarred rope. 1913 Webster]
Oar(, n[AS. \'ber; akin to Icel. \'ber, Dan. aare, Sw. \'86ra; perh. akin to E. row, v. Cf. Rowlock.] 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
rowlock, fixed to the side of the boat. 1913 Webster]
2.An oarsman; a rower; as, he is a good oar. 1913 Webster]
3.(Zo\'94l.)An oarlike swimming organ of various invertebrates. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
Oar, v. t. & i.[imp. & p. p.Oared(?); p. pr. & vb. n.Oaring.]To row. \'bdOared himself.\'b8 Shak. 1913 Webster]
Oared with laboring arms.Pope. 1913 Webster]
Oared(, a.1.Furnished with oars; -- chiefly used in composition; as, a four-oared boat. 1913 Webster]
2.(Zo\'94l.)(a)Having feet adapted for swimming.(b)Totipalmate; -- said of the feet of certain birds. See Illust. of Aves. 1913 Webster]
Oared shrew(Zo\'94l.), an aquatic European shrew (Crossopus ciliatus); -- called also black water shrew. 1913 Webster]
Oar"foot`(, n.(Zo\'94l.)Any crustacean of the genus Remipes. 1913 Webster]
Oar"-foot`eda.Having feet adapted for swimming. 1913 Webster]
Oar"less, a.Without oars.Sylvester. 1913 Webster]
Oar"lock`(, n.(Naut.), The notch, fork, or other device on the gunwale of a boat, in which the oar rests, and that holds the oar in place and acts as a fulcrum for rowing. Certain oarlocks are designed for use with oars having attached swivels, which insert into the oarlock and provide a firm pivot. Same as Rowlock{1}. Syn. -- peg, pin, thole, tholepin, rowlock. 1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5+PJC]
Oars"man(, n.; pl.Oarsmen(-m.One who uses, or is skilled in the use of, an oar; a rower. 1913 Webster]
At the prow of the boat, rose one of the oarsmen.Longfellow. 1913 Webster]
oarsmanshipn.skill as an oarsman. WordNet 1.5]
Oars"weed`(, n.(Bot.)Any large seaweed of the genus Laminaria; tangle; kelp. See Kelp. 1913 Webster]
oarswomann.a woman oarsman. WordNet 1.5]
Oar"y(, a.Having the form or the use of an oar; as, the swan's oary feet.Milton.Addison. 1913 Webster]
OASn.The Organization of American States an international association of countries in the Western hemisphere. It was created in 1948 to promote military and economic and social and cultural cooperation. [acronym] Syn. -- Organization of American States. WordNet 1.5]
O"as*is(or , n.; pl.Oases(-s.[L., fr. Gr. 'o`asis; cf. Copt. ouahe.]A fertile or green spot in a waste or desert, esp. in a sandy desert, where the water table approaches the surface.[wns=1] \'bdThe Arab does not love the desert; the Arab loves the oasis and green fields.\'b8 1913 Webster]
2.Hence: (fig.) Any refuge from a prevailing stressful, unpleasant, or annoying situation.[wns=2 & 3] Syn. -- haven. PJC]
My one oasis in the dust and drouth Tennyson. 1913 Webster]
Oast(, n.[OE. ost, AS. ; cf. Gr. a'i^qos burning heat.]A kiln to dry hops or malt; a cockle.Mortimer. 1913 Webster]
Oat(, n.; pl.Oats(.[OE. ote, ate, AS. , akin to Fries. oat. Of uncertain origin.]1.(Bot.)A well-known cereal grass (Avena sativa), and its edible grain, used as food and fodder; -- commonly used in the plural and in a collective sense. 1913 Webster]
2.A musical pipe made of oat straw. [Obs.] Milton. 1913 Webster]
Animated oatsor
Animal oats(Bot.), A grass (Avena sterilis) much like oats, but with a long spirally twisted awn which coils and uncoils with changes of moisture, and thus gives the grains an apparently automatic motion. --
Oat fowl(Zo\'94l.), the snow bunting; -- so called from its feeding on oats. [Prov. Eng.] --
Oat grass(Bot.), the name of several grasses more or less resembling oats, as Danthonia spicata, Danthonia sericea, and Arrhenatherum avenaceum, all common in parts of the United States. --
To feel one's oats, (a)to be conceited or self-important. [Slang] (b)to feel lively and energetic. --
To sow one's wild oats, to indulge in youthful dissipation.Thackeray. --
Wild oats(Bot.), a grass (Avena fatua) much resembling oats, and by some persons supposed to be the original of cultivated oats. 1913 Webster]
Oat"cake(?), n.A cake made of oatmeal. 1913 Webster]
Oat"en(?), a.1.Consisting of an oat straw or stem; as, an oaten pipe.Milton. 1913 Webster]
2.Made of oatmeal; as, oaten cakes. 1913 Webster]
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. \'bdI have an oath in heaven\'b8 Shak. 1913 Webster]
An oath of secrecy for the concealing of those [inventions] which we think fit to keep secret.Bacon. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
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. \'bdA terrible oath\'b8 Shak. 1913 Webster]
Oath"a*ble(?), a.Capable of having an oath administered to. [Obs.] Shak. 1913 Webster]
Oath"break`ing(?), n.The violation of an oath; perjury.Shak 1913 Webster]
Oat"meal`(?), n.1.Meal made of oats.Gay. 1913 Webster]
2.(Bot.)A plant of the genus Panicum; panic grass. 1913 Webster]
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, or oppositely, ovate. Ob- is commonly assimilated before c, f, g, and p, to oc-, of-, og-, and op-. 1913 Webster]
Ob"com*pressed"(?). a.[Pref. ob- + compressed.]Compressed or flattened antero-posteriorly, or in a way opposite to the usual one. 1913 Webster]
{ Ob*con"ic(?), Ob*con"ic*al(?), }a.[Pref. ob- + conic, conical.]Conical, but having the apex downward; inversely conical. 1913 Webster]
Ob*cor"date(?), a.[Pref. ob- + cordate.]Heart-shaped, with the attachment at the pointed end; inversely cordate; as, an obcordate petal or leaf. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
Ob*dip"lo*stem"o*ny(?), n.(Bot.)The condition of being obdiplostemonous. 1913 Webster]
Ob"dor*mi"tion(?), n.[L. obdormire to fall asleep.]Sleep. [Obs.] Bp. Hall. 1913 Webster]
Ob*duce"(?), v. t.[L. obducere, obductum; ob (see Ob-) + ducere to lead.]To draw over, as a covering. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale. 1913 Webster]
Ob*duct"(, v. t.[See Obduce.]To draw over; to cover. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne. 1913 Webster]
Ob*duc"tion(?), n.[L. obductio.]The act of drawing or laying over, as a covering. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
Ob"du*ra*cy(?), n.The duality or state of being obdurate; invincible hardness of heart; obstinacy. \'bdObduracy and persistency.\'b8 Shak. 1913 Webster]
The absolute completion of sin in final obduracy.South. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
The very custom of evil makes the heart obdurate against whatsoever instructions to the contrary.Hooker. 1913 Webster]
Art thou obdurate, flinty, hard as steel, Shak. 1913 Webster]
There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart.Cowper. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
-- Ob"du*rate*ly(#), adv. -- Ob"du*rate*ness, n. 1913 Webster]
Ob"du*rate(?), v. t.To harden. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
Ob"du*ra"tion(?), n.[L. obduratio.]A hardening of the heart; hardness of heart. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
Ob*dure"(, v. t.To harden. [Obs.] Milton. 1913 Webster]
O*be"ah(?). n.Same as Obi. -- a.Of or pertaining to obi; as, the obeah man.B. Edwards. 1913 Webster]
obechin.A large Western African tree (Triplochiton scleroxcylon) having large palmately lobed leaves and axillary cymose panicles of small white flowers and one-winged seeds; it yields soft white to pale yellow wood. Syn. -- obeche, arere, samba, Triplochiton scleroxcylon. WordNet 1.5]
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. 1913 Webster]
Government must compel the obedience of individuals.Ames. 1913 Webster]
2.Words or actions denoting submission to authority; dutifulness.Shak. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
Canonical obedience. See under Canonical. --
Passive obedience. See under Passive. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
And floating straight, obedient to the stream.Shak. 1913 Webster]
The chief his orders gives; the obedient band, Pope. 1913 Webster]
O*bei"sant(?), a.[F. ob\'82issant, p. pr. of ob\'82ir to obey.]Ready to obey; reverent; deferential; also, servilely submissive. 1913 Webster]
\'d8O*be"li*on(?), n.[NL., from Gr. 'obelo`s a spit.](Anat.)The region of the skull between the two parietal foramina where the closure of the sagittal suture usually begins. 1913 Webster]
Ob`e*lis"cal(?), a.Formed like an obelisk. 1913 Webster]
ob"e*lisk(, n.[L. obeliscus, Gr. 'obeli`skos, dim. of 'obelo`s a spit, a pointed pillar: cf. F. 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. 1913 Webster]
2.(Print.)A mark of reference; -- called also dagger [Dagger, n., 2. 1913 Webster]
Ob"e*lisk, v. t.[imp. & p. p.Obelisked(?); p. pr. & vb. n.Obelisking.]To mark or designate with an obelisk. 1913 Webster]
Ob"e*lize(?), v. t.[imp. & p. p.Obelized(?); p. pr. & vb. n.Obelizing(?).][Gr. 'obeli`zein, fr. 'obelo`s. See Obelus.]To designate with an obelus; to mark as doubtful or spirituous. [R.] 1913 Webster]
\'d8Ob"e*lus(?), n.; pl.Obeli(#).[L., fr. Gr. 'obelo`s, prop., a spit.](Print.)A mark [thus 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
Ob"er*on(, prop. 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. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
O*bese"ness, n.Quality of being obese; obesity. 1913 Webster]
o*bes"i*ty(?), n.[L. obesitas: cf. F. ob\'82sit\'82.]The state or quality of being obese; excessive body weight; incumbrance of flesh. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
Children, obey your parents in the Lord.Eph. vi. 1. 1913 Webster]
Was she the God, that her thou didst obey?Milton. 1913 Webster]
2.To submit to the authority of; to be ruled by. 1913 Webster]
My will obeyed his will.Chaucer. 1913 Webster]
Afric and India shall his power obey.Dryden. 1913 Webster]
3.To yield to the impulse, power, or operation of; as, a ship obeys her helm. 1913 Webster]
O*bey", v. i.To give obedience. 1913 Webster]
Will he obey when one commands?Tennyson. 1913 Webster]
obey was used, as in the French idiom, with the preposition to. 1913 Webster]
His servants ye are, to whom ye obey.Rom. vi. 16. 1913 Webster]
He commanded the trumpets to sound: to which the two brave knights obeying, they performed their courses.Sir. P. Sidney. 1913 Webster]
O*bey"er(?), n.One who yields obedience.Holland. 1913 Webster]
{ 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. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
Ob*fus"cate(?), v. t.[imp. & p. p.Obfuscated(?); p. pr. & vb. n.Obfuscating.]1.To darken; to obscure; to becloud. 1913 Webster]
2.Hence:To confuse; to bewilder; to make unclear. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
Clouds of passion which might obfuscate the intellects of meaner females.Sir. W. Scott. 1913 Webster]
<-- p. 990 -->
Ob`fus*ca"tion(, n.[L. obfuscatio.]The act of darkening or bewildering; the state of being darkened. \'bdObfuscation of the cornea.\'b8 E. Darwin. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
2.A charm or fetich. [West Indies] B. Edwards. 1913 Webster]
O"bi(, n.[Jap.]A sash, esp. the long belt-like broad sash of soft material worn by women aound the waist when wearing a traditional kimono, and usually having a large bow at the back. Webster 1913 Suppl.]
Over this is bound the large sash (obi) which is the chief article of feminine adornment.B. H. Chamberlain. Webster 1913 Suppl.]
O"bi*ism(?), n.Belief in, or the practice of, the obi superstitions and rites. Webster 1913 Suppl.]
Ob*im"bri*cate(?), a.[Pref. ob- + imbricate.](Bot.)Imbricated, with the overlapping ends directed downward. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
2.A funeral solemnity or office; obsequies. 1913 Webster]
3.A service for the soul of a deceased person on the anniversary of the day of his death. 1913 Webster]
The emoluments and advantages from oblations, obits, and other sources, increased in value.Milman. 1913 Webster]
4.Same as obituary; -- by shortenting. PJC]
Post obit[L. post obitum]. See Post-obit. 1913 Webster]
\'d8Ob"i*ter(, adv.[L., on the way; ob (see Ob-) + iter a going, a walk, way.]In passing; incidentally; by the way. 1913 Webster]
obiter dictum(, n.; pl.obiter dicta(.(Law), An incidental and collateral opinion uttered by a judge. See Dictum, n., 2 (a). 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
O*bit"u*a*ri*ly(?), adv.In the manner of an obituary. 1913 Webster]
O*bit"u*a*ry(?), a.[See Obit.]Of or pertaining to the death of a person or persons; as, an obituary notice; obituary poetry. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
2.Especially:A notice of the death of a person, published in a newspaper or other periodical, accompanied by a biographical sketch which may be brief ro extended; as, the funeral director arranged placed an obituary in the local papaer. 1913 Webster +PJC]
3.pl.The section of a newspaper in which obituaries{2} are printed; as, I saw the notice of his death in the obituaries. PJC]
4.(R. C. Ch.)A list of the dead, or a register of anniversary days when service is performed for the dead. 1913 Webster]
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.] 1913 Webster]
Of less account some knight thereto object, Whose loss so great and harmful can not prove.Fairfax. 1913 Webster]
Some strong impediment or other objecting itself.Hooker. 1913 Webster]
Pallas to their eyes objected, and condensed the skies.Pope. 1913 Webster]
2.To offer in opposition as a criminal charge or by way of accusation or reproach; to adduce as an objection or adverse reason. 1913 Webster]
He gave to him to object his heinous crime.Spencer. 1913 Webster]
Others object the poverty of the nation.Addison. 1913 Webster]
The book . . . giveth liberty to object any crime against such as are to be ordered.Whitgift. 1913 Webster]
Ob*ject", v. i.To make opposition in words or argument; to express one's displeasure; -- usually followed by to; as, she objected to his vulgar language.Sir. T. More. 1913 Webster +PJC]
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 and persists for an appreciable time; as, he observed an object in the distance; all the objects in sight; he touched a strange object in the dark. 1913 Webster]
2.Anything 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. 1913 Webster]
Object is a term for that about which the knowing subject is conversant; what the schoolmen have styled the \'bdmateria circa quam.\'b8Sir. W. Hamilton. 1913 Webster]
The object of their bitterest hatred.Macaulay. 1913 Webster]
3.That toward 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; goal; end; aim; motive; final cause. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
Let our object be, our country, our whole country, and nothing but our country.D. Webster. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
6.(Computers)Any set of data that is or can be manipulated or referenced by a computer program as a single entity; -- the term may be used broadly, to include files, images (such as icons on the screen), or small data structures.More narrowly,anything defined as an object within an object-oriented programming language. PJC]
7.(Ontology)Anything which exists and which has attributes; distinguished from attributes, processes, and relations. PJC]
Object glass, the lens, or system of lenses, placed at the end of a telescope, microscope, etc., which is toward the object. Its function is to form an image of the object, which is then viewed by the eyepiece. Called also objective or objective lens. 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. 1913 Webster]
Ob*ject"(?), a.[L. objectus, p. p.]Opposed; presented in opposition; also, exposed. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
Ob*ject"a*ble(?), a.Such as can be presented in opposition; that may be put forward as an objection. [R.] 1913 Webster]
ob"ject file, ob"ject program(?), n.(Computers)A computer program which has been translated into machine language by a compiler and assembler, but not yet linked into an executable program; sometimes called an obj file, because its file name typically has the extension \'bdobj\'b8 . PJC]
objectificationn.representing as an object. WordNet 1.5]
Ob*jec"ti*fy(?), v. t.[Object + -fy.]To cause to become an object; to cause to assume the character of an object; to represent or consider as an object; to render objective.J. D. Morell. 1913 Webster +PJC]
Ob*jec"tion(?), n.[L. objectio: cf. F. objection.]1.The act of objecting; as, to prevent agreement, or action, by objection.Johnson. 1913 Webster]
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. \'bdObjections against every truth.\'b8 Tyndale. 1913 Webster]
3.Cause of trouble; sorrow. [Obs. or R.] 1913 Webster]
He remembers the objection that lies in his bosom, and he sighs deeply.Jer. Taylor. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
Ob"ject*ist(?), n.One who adheres to, or is skilled in, the objective philosophy.Ed. Rev. 1913 Webster]
Ob*jec"ti*vate(?), v. t.To objectify. 1913 Webster]
Ob*jec`ti*va"tion(?), n.Converting into an object. 1913 Webster]
Ob*jec"tive(, a.[Cf. F. objectif.]1.Of or pertaining to an object. 1913 Webster]
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 is exterior to the mind, or which is simply an object of thought or feeling, as opposed to being related to thoughts of feelings, and opposed to subjective. 1913 Webster +PJC]
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. 1913 Webster]
Objective has come to mean that which has independent existence 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). 1913 Webster]
3.Hence:Unbiased; unprejudiced; fair; uninfluenced by personal feelings or personal interests; considering only the facts of a situation unrelated to the observer; -- of judgments, opinions, evaluations, conclusions, reasoning processes. PJC]
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. 1913 Webster]
4.(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. 1913 Webster]
at, in, on, etc., may be supplied. 1913 Webster]
My troublous dream [on] this night doth make me sad.Shak. 1913 Webster]
To write of victories [in or for] next year.Hudibras. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
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 1913 Webster]
2.An object glass; called also objective lens. See under Object, n. 1913 Webster]
3.Same as Objective point, under Objective, a. 1913 Webster]
ob*jec"tive lens, n.An object glass. See under Object, n. PJC]
Ob*jec"tive*ly, adv.In the manner or state of an object; as, a determinate idea objectively in the mind. 1913 Webster]
Ob*jec"tive*ness, n.Objectivity. 1913 Webster]
Is there such a motion or objectiveness of external bodies, which produceth light?Sir M. Hale 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
The calm, the cheerfulness, the disinterested objectivity have disappeared [in the life of the Greeks].M. Arnold. 1913 Webster]
Ob"ject*ize(?), v. t.To make an object of; to regard as an object; to place in the position of an object. 1913 Webster]
In the latter, as objectized by the former, arise the emotions and affections.Coleridge. 1913 Webster]
Ob"ject*less, a.Having no object; purposeless. 1913 Webster]
Ob*ject"or(?), n.[L., an accuser.]One who objects; one who offers objections to a proposition or measure. 1913 Webster]
ob"ject-or"i*ent*ed(?), a.(Computers)Using data structures called objects, which encapsulate data and typically are accessed by passing messages, which in turn may trigger internal procedures within the object which are invisible outside the object. PJC]
Ob*jib"ways(?), prop. n. pl.See Chippeways. 1913 Webster]
Ob*jic"i*ent(?), n.[L. objiciens, p. pr. of objicere to object.]One who makes objection; an objector. [R.] Cardinal Wiseman. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
Ob`jur*ga"tion(?), n.[L. objurgatio: cf. F. objurgation.]The act of objurgating; reproof. 1913 Webster]
While the good lady was bestowing this objurgation on Mr. Ben Allen.Dickens. 1913 Webster]
With a strong objurgation of the elbow in his ribs.Landor. 1913 Webster]
Ob*jur"ga*to*ry(?), a.[L. objurgatorius.]Designed to objurgate or chide; containing or expressing reproof; culpatory.Bancroft. 1913 Webster]
The objurgatory question of the Pharisees.Paley. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
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.] 1913 Webster]
1.(Geom.)Flattened or depressed at the poles; as, the earth is an oblate spheroid. 1913 Webster]
2.Offered up; devoted; consecrated; dedicated; -- used chiefly or only in the titles of Roman Catholic orders. See Oblate, n. 1913 Webster]
Oblate ellipsoidor
Oblate spheroid(Geom.), a solid generated by the revolution of an ellipse about its minor axis; an oblatum. Contrasted with prolate spheroid. See Ellipsoid of revolution, under Ellipsoid. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
Ob*late"ness, n.The quality or state of being oblate. 1913 Webster]
\'d8Ob*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. 1913 Webster]
Ob*la"tion(?), n.[L. oblatio: cf. F. oblation. See Oblate.]1.The act of offering, or of making an offering.Locke. 1913 Webster]
2.Anything offered or presented in worship or sacred service; an offering; a sacrifice. 1913 Webster]
A peculiar . . . oblation given to God.Jer. Taylor. 1913 Webster]
A pin was the usual oblation.Sir. W. Scott. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
Ob*la"tion*er(?), n.One who makes an offering as an act worship or reverence.Dr. H. More. 1913 Webster]
Ob*la"trate(?), v. i.[L. oblatratus, p. p. of oblatrare to bark against.]To bark or snarl, as a dog. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
Ob`la*tra"tion(?), n.The act of oblatrating; a barking or snarling.Bp. Hall. 1913 Webster]
\'d8Ob*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. 1913 Webster]
Ob*lec"tate(?), v. t.[L. oblectatus, p. p. of oblectare.]To delight; to please greatly. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
Ob"lec*ta"tion(?), n.[L. oblectatio.]The act of pleasing highly; the state of being greatly pleased; delight. [R.] Feltham. 1913 Webster]
Ob"li*ga*ble(?), a.Acknowledging, or complying with, obligation; trustworthy. [R.] 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
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. \'bdObligated by a sense of duty.\'b8 Proudfit. 1913 Webster]
That's your true plan -- to obligate Churchill. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
That they may not incline or be obligated to any vile or lowly occupations.Landor. 1913 Webster]
obligatedadj.1.under a moral obligation to someone. Syn. -- beholden(predicate). WordNet 1.5]
2.under a legal obligation to someone. Syn. -- indebted. WordNet 1.5]
3.owing gratitude or recognition to another for help or favors etc. Opposite of unobligated. [Narrower terms: supposed(predicate), required ] Syn. -- indebted. WordNet 1.5]
Ob"li*ga"tion(?), n.[F. obligation. L. obligatio. See Oblige.]1.The act of obligating. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
A tender conscience is a stronger obligation than a proson.Fuller. 1913 Webster]
3.Any act by which a person becomes bound to do something to or for another, or to forbear something; external duties imposed by law, promise, or contract, by the relations of society, or by courtesy, kindness, etc. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
4.The state of being obligated or bound; the state of being indebted for an act of favor or kindness; -- often used with under to indicate being in that state; as, to place others under obligations to one. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
Days of obligation. See under Day. --
under obligation,
under an obligation. in a state of obligation{4}. 1913 Webster +PJC]
obligationaladj.relating or constituting or qualified to create a legal or financial obligation; as, obligational authority. WordNet 1.5]
Ob"li*ga*to*ri*ly(?), adv.In an obligatory manner; by reason of obligation.Foxe. 1913 Webster]
Ob"li*ga*to*ri*ness, n.The quality or state of being obligatory. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
As long as the law is obligatory, so long our obedience is due.Jer. Taylor. 1913 Webster]
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.] 1913 Webster]
He had obliged all the senators and magistrates firmly to himself.Bacon. 1913 Webster]
2.To constrain by physical, moral, or legal force; to put under obligation to do or forbear something. 1913 Webster]
The obliging power of the law is neither founded in, nor to be measured by, the rewards and punishments annexed to it.South. 1913 Webster]
Religion obliges men to the practice of those virtues which conduce to the preservation of our health.Tillotson. 1913 Webster]
3.To bind by some favor rendered; to place under a debt; hence, to do a favor to; to please; to gratify; to accommodate. 1913 Webster]
Thus man, by his own strength, to heaven would soar, obliged to God for more.Dryden. 1913 Webster]
The gates before it are brass, and the whole much obliged to Pope Urban VIII.Evelyn. 1913 Webster]
I shall be more obliged to you than I can express.Mrs. E. Montagu. 1913 Webster]
<-- p. 991 -->
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. 1913 Webster]
o*blige"ment(, n.Obligation. [R.] 1913 Webster]
I will not resist, therefore, whatever it is, either of divine or human obligement, that you lay upon me.Milton. 1913 Webster]
o*bli"ger(, n.One who, or that which, obliges.Sir H. Wotton. 1913 Webster]
o*bli"ging(, a.Putting under obligation; disposed to oblige or do favors; hence, helpful; civil; kind. 1913 Webster]
Mons. Strozzi has many curiosities, and is very obliging to a stranger who desires the sight of them.Addison. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
-- O*bli"ging*ly. adv. -- O*bli"ging*ness, n. 1913 Webster]
Ob`li*gor"(?), n.The person who binds himself, or gives his bond to another.Blackstone. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
2.Deviation from moral rectitude. [R.] 1913 Webster]
Ob*lique"(?), a.[F., fr. L. obliquus; ob (see Ob-) + liquis oblique; cf. licinus bent upward, Gr. le`chrios slanting.][Written also oblike.] 1913 Webster]
1.Not erect or perpendicular; neither parallel to, nor at right angles from, the base; slanting; inclined. 1913 Webster]
It has a direction oblique to that of the former motion.Cheyne. 1913 Webster]
The love we bear our friends . . . oblique ends.Drayton. 1913 Webster]
This mode of oblique research, when a more direct one is denied, we find to be the only one in our power.De Quincey. 1913 Webster]
Then would be closed the restless, oblique eye. Wordworth. 1913 Webster]
3.Not direct in descent; not following the line of father and son; collateral. 1913 Webster]
His natural affection in a direct line was strong, in an oblique but weak.Baker. 1913 Webster]
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 25Wilhelm. --
Oblique system of co\'94rdinates(Anal. Geom.), a system in which the co\'94rdinate axes are oblique to each other. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
Projecting his person towards it in a line which obliqued from the bottom of his spine.Sir. W. Scott. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
Ob*lique"-an`gled(?), a.Having oblique angles; as, an oblique-angled triangle. 1913 Webster]
Ob*lique"ly, adv.In an oblique manner; not directly; indirectly. \'bdTruth obliquely leveled.\'b8 Bp. Fell. 1913 Webster]
Declining from the noon of day, obliquely shoots his burning ray.Pope 1913 Webster]
His discourse tends obliquely to the detracting from others.Addison. 1913 Webster]
Ob*lique"ness, n.Quality or state of being oblique. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
2.Deviation from ordinary rules; irregularity; deviation from moral rectitude. 1913 Webster]
To disobey [God] . . . imports a moral obliquity.South. 1913 Webster]
Ob"lite(?), a.[L. oblitus, p. p. pf oblinere to besmear.]Indistinct; slurred over. [Obs.] \'bdObscure and oblite mention.\'b8 Fuller. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
The harsh and bitter feelings of this or that experience are slowly obliterated.W. Black. 1913 Webster]
Ob*lit"er*ate(?), a.(Zo\'94l.)Scarcely distinct; -- applied to the markings of insects. 1913 Webster]
obliteratedadj.1.destroyed so thoroughly as to be unrecognizable or imperceptible. Syn. -- wiped out, obliterate. WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
2.made illegible or imperceptible by erasing or abrading away; -- of writing or surface designs on objects. Syn. -- blotted out, obliterated. PJC]
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. 1913 Webster]
Ob*lit"er*a*tive(?), a.Tending or serving to obliterate. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
Second childishness and mere oblivion.Shak. 1913 Webster]
Among our crimes oblivion may be set.Dryden 1913 Webster]
The origin of our city will be buried in eternal oblivion.W. Irving. 1913 Webster]
2.Official ignoring of offenses; amnesty, or general pardon; as, an act of oblivion.Sir J. Davies. 1913 Webster]
Syn. -- See Forgetfulness. 1913 Webster]
Ob*liv"i*ous(?), a.[L. obliviosus: cf. F. oblivieux.] 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
Ob"long(?), a.[L. oblongus; ob (see Ob-) + longus long: cf. F. oblong.]Having greater length than breadth, esp. when rectangular. 1913 Webster]
Ob"long, n.A rectangular figure longer than it is broad; hence, any figure longer than it is broad. 1913 Webster]
The best figure of a garden I esteem an oblong upon a descent.Sir W. Temple. 1913 Webster]
\'d8Ob`lon*ga"ta(?), n.[NL.](Anat.)The medulla oblongata.B. G. Wilder. 1913 Webster]
Ob"lon*ga"tal(?), a.Of or pertaining to the medulla oblongata; medullar. 1913 Webster]
Ob"long*ish(?), a.Somewhat oblong. 1913 Webster]
Ob"long*ly, adv.In an oblong form. 1913 Webster]
Ob"long*ness, n.State or quality of being oblong. 1913 Webster]
Ob"long-o"vate(?), a.Between oblong and ovate, but inclined to the latter. 1913 Webster]
\'d8Ob*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. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
Shall names that made your city the glory of the earth be mentioned with obloquy and detraction?Addison. 1913 Webster]
2.Cause of reproach; disgrace. [Obs.] Shak. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
2.A keeping silent or mute.Paley. 1913 Webster]
Ob*nox"ious(, a.[L. obnoxius; ob (see Ob-) + noxius hurtful. See Noxious.]1.Subject; liable; exposed; answerable; amenable; -- with to. 1913 Webster]
The writings of lawyers, which are tied obnoxious to their particular laws.Bacon. 1913 Webster]
Esteeming it more honorable to live on the public than to be obnoxious to any private purse.Milton. 1913 Webster]
Obnoxious, first or last, Milton. 1913 Webster]
2.Liable to censure; exposed to punishment; reprehensible; blameworthy. \'bdThe contrived and interested schemes of . . . obnoxious authors.\'b8 Bp. Fell. 1913 Webster]
All are obnoxious, and this faulty land, Waller. 1913 Webster]
3.Very offensive; odious; hateful; as, an obnoxious statesman; a minister obnoxious to the Whigs.Burke. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
\'d8Oboe d'amore[It., lit., oboe of love], and
\'d8Oboe 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. 1913 Webster]
O"bo*ist(?), n.A performer on the oboe. 1913 Webster]
Ob"o*la*ry(?), a.[See Obolus.]Possessing only small coins; impoverished. [R.] Lamb. 1913 Webster]
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.] 1913 Webster]
Ob"o*lize(?), v. t.See Obelize. 1913 Webster]
Ob"o*lo(?), n.[Cf. Obolus.]A copper coin, used in the Ionian Islands, about one cent in value. 1913 Webster]
\'d8Ob"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. 1913 Webster]
Ob*o"vate(?). a.[Pref. ob- + ovate.](Bot.)Inversely ovate; ovate with the narrow end downward; as, an obovate leaf. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
2.(Scots Law)The obtaining gifts of escheat by fraud or surprise.Bell. 1913 Webster]
Ob`rep*ti"tious(?), a.[L. obreptitus. See Obreption.]Done or obtained by surprise; with secrecy, or by concealment of the truth. [R.] Cotgrave. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
\'d8Ob"rok(?), n.[Russ. obrok'.](a)A rent.(b)A poll tax paid by peasants absent from their lord's estate. [Russia] Brande & C. 1913 Webster]
1.Offensive to chastity or modesty; expressing or presenting to the mind or view something which delicacy, purity, and decency forbid to be exposed; impure; as, obscene language; obscene pictures. 1913 Webster]
Words that were once chaste, by frequent use grew obscene and uncleanly.I. Watts. 1913 Webster]
2.Foul; fifthy; disgusting. 1913 Webster]
A girdle foul with grease binds his obscene attire.Dryden (Aeneid, vi. 417). 1913 Webster]
-- Ob*scene"ly, adv. -- Ob*scene"ness, n. 1913 Webster]
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 chastity or purity of mind; obscene or impure lanquage or acts; moral impurity; lewdness; obsceneness; as, the obscenity of a speech, or a picture. 1913 Webster]
Mr. Cowley asserts plainly, that obscenity has no place in wit.Dryden. 1913 Webster]
No pardon vile obscenity should find.Pope. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
Ob*scur"ant*ism(?), n.The system or the principles of the obscurants.C. Kingsley. 1913 Webster]
Ob*scur"ant*ist, n.Same as Obscurant.Ed. Rev. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
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.] 1913 Webster]
1.Covered over, shaded, or darkened; destitute of light; imperfectly illuminated; dusky; dim. 1913 Webster]
His lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.Prov. xx. 20. 1913 Webster]
2.Of or pertaining to darkness or night; inconspicuous to the sight; indistinctly seen; hidden; retired; remote from observation; unnoticed. 1913 Webster]
The obscure bird Shak. 1913 Webster]
The obscure corners of the earth.Sir J. Davies. 1913 Webster]
3.Not noticeable; humble; mean. \'bdO base and obscure vulgar.\'b8 Shak. \'bdAn obscure person.\'b8 Atterbury. 1913 Webster]
4.Not easily understood; not clear or legible; abstruse or incomprehensible; as, an obscure passage or inscription. 1913 Webster]
5.Not clear, full, or distinct; clouded; imperfect; as, an obscure view of remote objects. 1913 Webster]
Obscure rays(Opt.), those rays which are not luminous or visible, and which in the spectrum are beyond the limits of the visible portion. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
They are all couched in a pit hard by Herne's oak, with obscured lights.Shak. 1913 Webster]
Why, 't is an office of discovery, love, obscured.Shak. 1913 Webster]
There is scarce any duty which has been so obscured by the writings of learned men as this.Wake. 1913 Webster]
And seest not sin obscures thy godlike frame?Dryden. 1913 Webster]
<-- p. 992 -->
Ob*scure"(, v. i.To conceal one's self; to hide; to keep dark. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
How! There's bad news. obscure, and hear it.Beau. & Fl. 1913 Webster]
Ob*scur"er(, n.One who, or that which, obscures. 1913 Webster]
ob*scu"ri*ty(, n.[L. obscuritas: cf. F. obscurit\'82.]The quality or state of being obscure. Syn. -- darkness; privacy; inconspicuousness; unintelligibleness; uncertainty. 1913 Webster]
You are not for obscurity designed.Dryden. 1913 Webster]
They were now brought forth from obscurity, to be contemplated by artists with admiration and despair.Macaulay. 1913 Webster]
Syn. -- Darkness; dimness; gloom. See Darkness. 1913 Webster]
ob"se*crate(, v. t.[imp. & p. p.obsecrated(ocr/b"s; 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. 1913 Webster]
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 \'bdBy.\'b8Bp. Stillingfeet.Shipley. 1913 Webster]
2.(Rhet.)A figure of speech in which the orator implores the assistance of God or man. 1913 Webster]
Ob"se*cra*to*ry(?), a.Expressing, or used in, entreaty; supplicatory. [R.] Bp. Hall. 1913 Webster]
Ob"se*quent(?), a.[L. obsequens, p. pr. of obsequi; ob (see Ob-) + sequi. See Sequence.]Obedient; submissive; obsequious. [Obs.] Fotherby. 1913 Webster]
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.] 1913 Webster]
His servants weeping, Obsequious to his orders, bear him hither.Addison. 1913 Webster]
2.Servilely or meanly attentive; compliant to excess; cringing; fawning; as, obsequious flatterer, parasite. 1913 Webster]
There lies ever in \'bdobsequious\'b8 at the present the sense of an observance which is overdone, of an unmanly readiness to fall in with the will of another.Trench. 1913 Webster]
3.[See Obsequy.]Of or pertaining to obsequies; funereal. [R.] \'bdTo do obsequious sorrow.\'b8 Shak. 1913 Webster]
Syn. -- Compliant; obedient; servile. See Yielding. 1913 Webster]
Ob*se"qui*ous*ly, adv.1.In an obsequious manner; compliantly; fawningly.Dryden. 1913 Webster]
2.In a manner appropriate to obsequies. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
Whilst I a while obsequiously lament Shak. 1913 Webster]
Ob*se"qui*ous*ness, n.The quality or state of being obsequious.South. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
I will . . . fetch him hence, and solemnly attend, obsequy and funeral train.Milton 1913 Webster]
I will myself obsequies.Dryden. 1913 Webster]
The funeral obsequies were decently and privately performed by his family.J. P. Mahaffy. 1913 Webster]
2.Obsequiousness. [Obs.] B. Jonson. 1913 Webster]
Ob*serv"a*ble(?), a.[L. observabilis: cf. F. observable.]1.Capable of being observed; discernible; noticeable.Sir. T. Browne. 1913 Webster]
The difference is sufficiently observable.Southey. 1913 Webster]
2.Worthy of being observed; important enough to be noted or celebrated; as, an observable anniversary. PJC]
3.Noteworthy; remarkable. PJC]
-- Ob*serv"a*ble*ness, n. -- Ob*serv"a*bly, adv. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
It is a custom observance.Shak. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
At dances observances.Chaucer. 1913 Webster]
Use all the observance of civility.Shak. 1913 Webster]
Some represent to themselves the whole of religion as consisting in a few easy observances.Rogers. 1913 Webster]
O I that wasted time to tend upon her, observances!Tennyson. 1913 Webster]
Salads and flesh, such as their haste could get, observance.Chapman. 1913 Webster]
This is not atheism, observance.Beau. & Fl. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]
Love rigid honesty, observance of impartial laws.Roscommon. 1913 Webster]
\'d8Ob*ser`van"dum(?), n.; pl.Observanda(#).[L.]A thing to be observed.Swift. 1913 Webster]
Ob*serv"ant(?), a.[L. observans, -anits, p. pr. of observare: cf. F. observant. See Observe.]1.Taking notice; viewing or noticing attentively; watchful; carefully attentive; as, an observant spectator; observant habits. 1913 Webster]
Wandering from clime to clime observant stray'd.Pope. 1913 Webster]
2.Submissively attentive; obediently watchful; regardful; mindful; obedient (to); -- with of, as, to be observant of rules. 1913 Webster]
We are told how observant Alexander was of his master Aristotle.Sir K. Digby. 1913 Webster]
Ob*serv"ant, n.1.One who observes forms and rules. [Obs.] Hooker. 1913 Webster]
2.A sycophantic servant. [Obs.] 1913 Webster]
Silly ducking observants, Shak. 1913 Webster]
3.(R. C. Ch.)An Observantine. 1913 Webster]
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. 1913 Webster]