I. əbˈsēn, (ˈ)äb|s- adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle French, from Latin obscenus, obscaenus; probably from a prehistoric Latin compound whose first constituent is akin to Latin ob to, before, against and whose second constituent is akin to Latin caenum filth, Swedish dialect hven swamp, Latvian svīns dirtied — more at epi-
1.
a. : disgusting to the senses usually because of some filthy, grotesque, or unnatural quality
obscene fungi clothed the wall of that dank cavern
dressed in obscene rags
b. : grossly repugnant to the generally accepted notions of what is appropriate : shocking
death under the stars is obscene somehow — Infantry Journal
2. : offensive or revolting as countering or violating some ideal or principle: as
a. : abhorrent to morality or virtue : stressing or reveling in the lewd or lustful ; specifically : inciting or designed to incite to lust, depravity, indecency
the dance often becomes flagrantly obscene and definitely provocative — Margaret Mead
a sly and obscene humor, the whispering and important lecheries of an old worn-out rake — Thomas Wolfe
b. : marked by violation of accepted language inhibitions and by the use of words regarded as taboo in polite usage
obscene chantey — Sinclair Lewis
c. : repulsive by reason of malignance, hypocrisy, cynicism, irresponsibility, crass disregard of moral or ethical principles
the obscene little counterdemonstration lewdly exulting in the forthcoming deaths — T.R.Ybarra
the debate … was almost obscene in its irresponsibility — New Republic
Synonyms: see coarse
II. adjective
: so excessive as to be offensive
obscene wealth
obscene waste