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- .
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.
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.]
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. Sometimes 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.
Obduration
Ob´du•ra´tion, n. [L. obduratio.] A hardening of the heart; hardness of heart. [Obs.]
Obeah
O•be´ah n. Same as Obi. — a. Of or pertaining to obi; as the obeah man. B. Edwards.
Obedience
O•be´di•ence, n. [F. obedience, 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.
Obediently
O•be´di•ent•ly, adv. In an obedient manner; with obedience.
Obeisance
O•bei´sance, n. [F. obeissance obedience, fr. obeissant. 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.
Obelisk
Ob´e•lisk, n. [L. obeliscus, Gr., dim. of a spit, a pointed pillar: cf. F. obelisque.]
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 [†]. 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., fr. ’obelo•s. See Obelus.] To designate with an obelus; to mark as doubtful or spirituous. [R.]
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.
Obey
O•bey´, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Obeyed p. pr. & vb. n. Obeying.] [OE. obeyen, F. obeir, 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.
Obeyingly
O•bey´ing•ly, adv. Obediently; submissively. { 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.
Obiism
O´bi•ism, n. Belief in, or the practice of, the obi superstitions and rites.
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.
Obituary
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.
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´ (ob•jekt"), 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 (ob"jekt), 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.
"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.]
Objectist
Ob´ject•ist, n. One who adheres to, or is skilled in, the objective philosophy. Ed. Rev.
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. The objective case is frequently used without a governing word, esp. in designations of time or space, where a preposition, as a. , 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Obligee
Ob´li•gee´, n. [F. oblige, p. p. of obliger. See Oblige.] The person to whom another is bound, or the person to whom a bond is given. Blackstone.
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 slanting.] [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. — 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 coördinates (Anal. Geom.), a system in which the coördinate 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.
Obliqueness
Ob•lique´ness, n. Quality or state of being oblique.
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. (Zoöl.) Scarcely distinct; — applied to the markings of insects.
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.
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.
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.
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 (ob"lo•kwy), 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 your 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.
Obmutescence
Ob•mu•tes´cence (ob•mu•tes"s ens), 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.
Obnoxious
Ob•nox´ious (ob•nok"shus), 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], andOboe 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.
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.]
Obolo
Ob´o•lo, n. [Cf. Obolus.] A copper coin, used in the Ionian Islands, about one cent in value.
Obomegoid
Ob•o•me´goid, a. [Pref. ob- + omegoid.] (Zoöl.) Obversely omegoid.
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.
Obscurantism
Ob•scur´ant•ism, n. The system or the principles of the obscurants. C. Kingsley.
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.
Obscurity
Ob•scu´ri•ty, n. [L. obscuritas: cf. F. obscurite.] 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.
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.
Obsequious
Ob•se´qui•ous, a. [L. obsequiosus, fr. obsequium compliance, fr. obsequi, fr. obsequi: cf. F. obsequieux, 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.
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. obsèques. 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.
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.
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.
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. When a phenomenon is scrutinized 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.
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.
"I have barely quoted … without observing upon it." Pope.
Syn. — To remark. See Remark.
Observership
Ob•serv´er•ship, n. The office or work of an observer.
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.
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.
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.
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. { Ob•stet´ric, Ob•stet´ric•al } a. [L. obstetricius, fr. obstetrix, -icis, a midwife, fr. obstare to stand before: cf.F. obstetrique. See Obstacle.] Of or pertaining to midwifery, or the delivery of women in childbed; as the obstetric art. Obstetrical toad (Zoöl.), 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.
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. obstetrique. See Obstetric.] The science of midwifery; the art of assisting women in parturition, or in the trouble incident to childbirth.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Obstupefaction
Ob•stu•pe•fac´tion, n. [L. obstuperfacere to stupefy.] See Stupefaction. [Obs.] Howell.
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.
Obtainment
Ob•tain´ment, n. The act or process of obtaining; attainment. Milton.
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
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.]
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.
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.
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.
Obturate
Ob´tu•rate, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Obturated p. pr. & vb. n. Obturating ] [L. obturatus; p.p. of obturare.] To stop or close, as an opening; specif., (Ordnance), to stop (a gun breech) so as to prevent the escape of gas in firing.
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. { Ob•tuse´-an•gled, ob•tuse´-an•gu•lar, } a. Having an obtuse angle; as an obtuse- angled triangle.
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.
Obumbrant
Ob•um´brant, a. [L. obumbrans, p. pr.] (Zoöl.) Overhanging; as obumbrant feathers.
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.
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. { 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.