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O.

O (ō). 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 Phœnician, which possibly derived it ultimately from the Egyptian. Etymologically, the letter o is most closely related to a, e, and u; as in E. bone, AS. bān; E. stone, AS. stān; E. broke, AS. brecan to break; E. bore, AS. beran to bear; E. dove, AS. dūfe; E. toft, tuft; tone, tune; number, F. nombre.

The letter o has several vowel sounds, the principal of which are its long sound, as in bone, its short sound, as in nod, and the sounds heard in the words orb, son, do (feod), and wolf (book). In connection with the other vowels it forms several digraphs and diphthongs. See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 107-129.

2. Among the ancients, O was a mark of triple time, from the notion that the ternary, or number 3, is the most perfect of numbers, and properly expressed by a circle, the most perfect figure.

O was also anciently used to represent 11: with a dash over it (Ō), 11,000.

O (ō), n.; pl. O's or Oes (ōz). 1. The letter O, or its sound. "Mouthing out his hollow oes and aes." Tennyson.

2. Something shaped like the letter O; a circle or oval. "This wooden O [Globe Theater]". Shak.

3. A cipher; zero. [R.]

Thou art an O without a figure.
Shak.

O'. [Ir. o a descendant.] A prefix to Irish family names, which signifies grandson or descendant of, and is a character of dignity; as, O'Neil, O'Carrol.

O' (ō; unaccented &osl;), prep. A shortened form of of or on. "At the turning o' the tide." Shak.

O (ō), a. [See One.] One. [Obs.] Chaucer. "Alle thre but o God." Piers Plowman.

O (?), interj. An exclamation used in calling or directly addressing a person or personified object; also, as an emotional or impassioned exclamation expressing pain, grief, surprise, desire, fear, etc.

For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.
Ps. cxix. 89.

O how love I thy law ! it is my meditation all the day.
Ps. cxix. 97.

&fist; O is frequently followed by an ellipsis and that, an in expressing a wish: "O [I wish] that Ishmael might live before thee !" Gen. xvii. 18; or in expressions of surprise, indignation, or regret: "O [it is sad] that such eyes should e'er meet other object !" Sheridan Knowles.

&fist; A distinction between the use of O and oh is insisted upon by some, namely, that O should be used only in direct address to a person or personified object, and should never be followed by the exclamation point, while Oh (or oh) should be used in exclamations where no direct appeal or address to an object is made, and may be followed by the exclamation point or not, according to the nature or construction of the sentence. Some insist that oh should be used only as an interjection expressing strong feeling. The form O, however, is, it seems, the one most commonly employed for both uses by modern writers and correctors for the press. "O, I am slain !" Shak. "O what a fair and ministering angel !" "O sweet angel !" Longfellow.

O for a kindling touch from that pure flame !
Wordsworth.

But she is in her grave, -- and oh
The difference to me !
Wordsworth.

Oh for a lodge in some vast wilderness !
Cowper.

We should distinguish between the sign of the vocative and the emotional interjection, writing O for the former, and oh for the latter.
Earle.

O dear, ∧ O dear me! [corrupted fr. F. O Dieu! or It. O Dio! O God! O Dio mio! O my God! Wyman.], exclamations expressive of various emotions, but usually promoted by surprise, consternation, grief, pain, etc.

Oad (ōd), n. See Woad. [Obs.] Coles.

Oaf (ōf), n. [See Auf.] Originally, an elf's child; a changeling left by fairies or goblins; hence, a deformed or foolish child; a simpleton; an idiot.

Oaf"ish, a. Like an oaf; simple. -- Oaf"ish*ness, n.

Oak (ōk), n. [OE. oke, ok, ak, AS. āc; akin to D. eik, G. eiche, OHG. eih, Icel. eik, Sw. ek, Dan. eeg.]

1. (Bot.) Any tree or shrub of the genus Quercus. The oaks have alternate leaves, often variously lobed, and staminate flowers in catkins. The fruit is a smooth nut, called an acorn, which is more or less inclosed in a scaly involucre called the cup or cupule. There are now recognized about three hundred species, of which nearly fifty occur in the United States, the rest in Europe, Asia, and the other parts of North America, a very few barely reaching the northern parts of South America and Africa. Many of the oaks form forest trees of grand proportions and live many centuries. The wood is usually hard and tough, and provided with conspicuous medullary rays, forming the silver grain.

2. The strong wood or timber of the oak.

&fist; Among the true oaks in America are: Barren oak, or Black-jack, Q. nigra. -- Basket oak, Q. Michauxii. -- Black oak, Q. tinctoria; -- called also yellow or quercitron oak. -- Bur oak (see under Bur.), Q. macrocarpa; -- called also over-cup or mossy-cup oak. -- Chestnut oak, Q. Prinus and Q. densiflora. -- Chinquapin oak (see under Chinquapin), Q. prinoides. -- Coast live oak, Q. agrifolia, of California; -- also called enceno. -- Live oak (see under Live), Q. virens, the best of all for shipbuilding; also, Q. Chrysolepis, of California. -- Pin oak. Same as Swamp oak. - - Post oak, Q. obtusifolia. -- Red oak, Q. rubra. -- Scarlet oak, Q. coccinea. -- Scrub oak, Q. ilicifolia, Q. undulata, etc. -- Shingle oak, Q. imbricaria. -- Spanish oak, Q. falcata. -- Swamp Spanish oak, or Pin oak, Q. palustris. -- Swamp white oak, Q. bicolor. -- Water oak, Q. aguatica. -- Water white oak, Q. lyrata. -- Willow oak, Q. Phellos.

Among the true oaks in Europe are: Bitter oak, or Turkey oak, Q. Cerris (see Cerris). -- Cork oak, Q. Suber. -- English white oak, Q. Robur. -- Evergreen oak, Holly oak, or Holm oak, Q. Ilex. -- Kermes oak, Q. coccifera. -- Nutgall oak, Q. infectoria.

&fist; Among plants called oak, but not of the genus Quercus, are: African oak, a valuable timber tree (Oldfieldia Africana). -- Australian, or She, oak, any tree of the genus Casuarina (see Casuarina). -- Indian oak, the teak tree (see Teak). -- Jerusalem oak. See under Jerusalem. -- New Zealand oak, a sapindaceous tree (Alectryon excelsum). -- Poison oak, the poison ivy. See under Poison. -- Silky, or Silk-bark, oak, an Australian tree (Grevillea robusta).

Green oak, oak wood colored green by the growth of the mycelium of certain fungi. -- Oak apple, a large, smooth, round gall produced on the leaves of the American red oak by a gallfly (Cynips confluens). It is green and pulpy when young. -- Oak beauty (Zoöl.), 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. (Zoöl.) See Pruner, the insect. -- Oak spangle, a kind of gall produced on the oak by the insect Diplolepis lenticularis. -- Oak wart, a wartlike gall on the twigs of an oak. -- The Oaks, one of the three great annual English horse races (the Derby and St. Leger being the others). It was instituted in 1779 by the Earl of Derby, and so called from his estate. -- To sport one's oak, to be "not at home to visitors," signified by closing the outer (oaken) door of one's rooms. [Cant, Eng. Univ.]

Oak"en (?), a. [AS. ācen.] Made or consisting of oaks or of the wood of oaks. "In oaken bower." Milton.

Oaken timber, wherewith to build ships.
Bacon.

Oak"er (?), n. See Ocher. [Obs.] Spenser.

Oak"ling (?), n. A young oak. Evelyn.

Oak"um (?), n. [AS. ācumba; 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.

2. The coarse portion separated from flax or hemp in nackling. Knight.

White oakum, that made from untarred rope.

Oak"y (?), n. Resembling oak; strong. Bp. Hall.

Oar (?), n [AS. ār; akin to Icel. ār, Dan. aare, Sw. åra; perh. akin to E. row, v. Cf. Rowlock.]

1. An implement for impelling a boat, being a slender piece of timber, usually ash or spruce, with a grip or handle at one end and a broad blade at the other. The part which rests in the rowlock is called the loom.

&fist; An oar is a kind of long paddle, which swings about a kind of fulcrum, called a rowlock, fixed to the side of the boat.

2. An oarsman; a rower; as, he is a good oar.

3. (Zoöl.) An oarlike swimming organ of various invertebrates.

Oar cock (Zoöl), the water rail. [Prov. Eng.] -- Spoon oar, an oar having the blade so curved as to afford a better hold upon the water in rowing. -- To boat the oars, to cease rowing, and lay the oars in the boat. -- To feather the oars. See under Feather., v. t. -- To lie on the oars, to cease pulling, raising the oars out of water, but not boating them; to cease from work of any kind; to be idle; to rest. -- To muffle the oars, to put something round that part which rests in the rowlock, to prevent noise in rowing. -- To put in one's oar, to give aid or advice; -- commonly used of a person who obtrudes aid or counsel not invited. -- To ship the oars, to place them in the rowlocks. -- To toss the oars, To peak the oars, to lift them from the rowlocks and hold them perpendicularly, the handle resting on the bottom of the boat. - - To trail oars, to allow them to trail in the water alongside of the boat. -- To unship the oars, to take them out of the rowlocks.

Oar, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Oared (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Oaring.] To row. "Oared himself." Shak.

Oared with laboring arms.
Pope.

Oared (?), a. 1. Furnished with oars; -- chiefly used in composition; as, a four- oared boat.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) Having feet adapted for swimming. (b) Totipalmate; -- said of the feet of certain birds. See Illust. of Aves.

Oared shrew (Zoöl.), an aquatic European shrew (Crossopus ciliatus); -- called also black water shrew.

Oar"fish` (ōr"f&ibreve;sh`), n. (Zoöl.) The ribbon fish.

Oar"foot` (-f&oomcr;t`), n. (Zoöl.) Any crustacean of the genus Remipes.

Oar"-foot`ed a. Having feet adapted for swimming.

Oar"less, a. Without oars. Sylvester.

Oar"lock` (ōr"l&obreve;k`), n. (Naut.), The notch, fork, or other device on the gunwale of a boat, in which the oar rests in rowing. See Rowlock.

Oars"man (ōrz"man), n.; pl. Oarsmen (-men). One who uses, or is skilled in the use of, an oar; a rower.

At the prow of the boat, rose one of the oarsmen.
Longfellow.

Oars"weed` (ōr"wēd`), n. (Bot.) Any large seaweed of the genus Laminaria; tangle; kelp. See Kelp.

Oar"y (ōr"&ybreve;), a. Having the form or the use of an oar; as, the swan's oary feet. Milton. Addison.

O"as*is (ō"&adot;*s&ibreve;s or &osl;*ā"s&ibreve;s; 277), n.; pl. Oases (-sēz). [L., fr. Gr. 'o`asis; cf. Copt. ouahe.] A fertile or green spot in a waste or desert, esp. in a sandy desert.

My one oasis in the dust and drouth
Of city life.
Tennyson.

Oast (ōst), n. [OE. ost, AS. āst; cf. Gr. a'i^qos burning heat.] A kiln to dry hops or malt; a cockle. Mortimer.

Oat (ōt), n.; pl. Oats (ōts). [OE. ote, ate, AS. āta, akin to Fries. oat. Of uncertain origin.] 1. (Bot.) A well-known cereal grass (Avena sativa), and its edible grain; -- commonly used in the plural and in a collective sense.

2. A musical pipe made of oat straw. [Obs.] Milton.

Animated oats or 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 (Zoöl.), 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, D. sericea, and Arrhenatherum avenaceum, all common in parts of the United States. -- To feel one's oats, to be conceited ro self-important. [Slang] -- 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.

Oat"cake (?), n. A cake made of oatmeal.

Oat"en (?), a. 1. Consisting of an oat straw or stem; as, an oaten pipe. Milton.

2. Made of oatmeal; as, oaten cakes.

Oath (ōth), n.; pl. Oaths (ō&thlig;z). [OE. othe, oth, ath, AS. āð; akin to D. eed, OS. ēð, G. eid, Icel. eiðr, Sw. ed, Dan. eed, Goth. aiþs; cf. OIr. oeth.] 1. A solemn affirmation or declaration, made with a reverent appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed. "I have an oath in heaven" Shak.

An oath of secrecy for the concealing of those [inventions] which we think fit to keep secret.
Bacon.

2. A solemn affirmation, connected with a sacred object, or one regarded as sacred, as the temple, the altar, the blood of Abel, the Bible, the Koran, etc.

3. (Law) An appeal (in verification of a statement made) to a superior sanction, in such a form as exposes the party making the appeal to an indictment for perjury if the statement be false.

4. A careless and blasphemous use of the name of the divine Being, or anything divine or sacred, by way of appeal or as a profane exclamation or ejaculation; an expression of profane swearing. "A terrible oath" Shak.

Oath"a*ble (?), a. Capable of having an oath administered to. [Obs.] Shak.

Oath"break`ing (?), n. The violation of an oath; perjury. Shak

Oat"meal` (?), n. 1. Meal made of oats. Gay.

2. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Panicum; panic grass.

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- .

Ob"com*pressed" (?). a. [Pref. ob- + compressed.] Compressed or flattened antero- posteriorly, or in a way opposite to the usual one.

{ Ob*con"ic (?), Ob*con"ic*al (?), } a. [Pref. ob- + conic, conical.] Conical, but having the apex downward; inversely conical.

Ob*cor"date (?), a. [Pref. ob- + cordate.] Heart-shaped, with the attachment at the pointed end; inversely cordate: as, an obcordate petal or leaf.

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.

Ob*dip"lo*stem"o*ny (?), n. (Bot.) The condition of being obdiplostemonous.

Ob"dor*mi"tion (?), n. [L. obdormire to fall asleep.] Sleep. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Ob*duce" (?), v. t. [L. obducere, obductum; ob (see Ob-) + ducere to lead.] To draw over, as a covering. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.

Ob*duct" (&?;), v. t. [See Obduce.] To draw over; to cover. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Ob*duc"tion (?), n. [L. obductio.] The act of drawing or laying over, as a covering. [Obs.]

Ob"du*ra*cy (?), n. The duality or state of being obdurate; invincible hardness of heart; obstinacy. "Obduracy and persistency." Shak.

The absolute completion of sin in final obduracy.
South.

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.

&fist; 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.

Ob"du*rate (?), v. t. To harden. [Obs.]

Ob"du*ra"tion (?), n. [L. obduratio.] A hardening of the heart; hardness of heart. [Obs.]

Ob*dure" (&obreve;b*dūr"), v. t. To harden. [Obs.] Milton.

{ Ob*dure" (&obreve;b*dūr"), Ob*dured" (&obreve;b*dūrd"), } a. Obdurate; hard. [Obs.]

This saw his hapless foes, but stood obdured.
Milton.

{ Ob*dure"ness, n., Ob*dur"ed*ness (?), n.} Hardness. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Ob"e (ō"b&esl;), n. See Obi.

O*be"ah (?). n. Same as Obi. -- a. Of or pertaining to obi; as, the obeah man. B. Edwards.

O*be"di*ble (?), a. Obedient. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

O*be"di*ence (?), n. [F. obédience, 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.

O*be`di*en"ci*a*ry (?), n. One yielding obedience. [Obs.] Foxe.

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.

O*be`di*en"tial (?), a. [Cf. F. obédientiel.] According to the rule of obedience. [R.]

An obediental subjection to the Lord of Nature.
Sir M. Hale.

O*be"di*ent*ly (?), adv. In an obedient manner; with obedience.

O*bei"sance (?), n. [F. obéissance obedience, fr. obéissant. 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.

O*bei"san*cy (?), n. See Obeisance. [Obs.]

O*bei"sant (?), a. [F. obéissant, p. pr. of obéir to obey.] Ready to obey; reverent; differential; also, servilely submissive.

||O*be"li*on (?), n. [NL., from Gr. &?; a spit.] (Anat.) The region of the skull between the two parietal foramina where the closure of the sagittal suture usually begins.

Ob`e*lis"cal (?), a. Formed like an obelisk.

Ob"e*lisk (?), n. [L. obeliscus, Gr. &?;, dim. of &?; a spit, a pointed pillar: cf. F. obélisque.] 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.

Ob"e*lisk, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obelisked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obelisking.] To mark or designate with an obelisk.

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.]

||Ob"e*lus (?), n.; pl. Obeli (#). [L., fr. Gr. 'obelo`s, prop., a spit.] (Print.) A mark [thus —, or ÷]; -- so called as resembling a needle. In old MSS. or editions of the classics, it marks suspected passages or readings.

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.

Ob"er*on (&obreve;b"&etilde;r*&obreve;n), n. [F., fr. OF. Auberon; prob. of Frankish origin.] (Mediæval Mythol.) The king of the fairies, and husband of Titania or Queen Mab. Shak.

Ob`er*ra"tion (?), n. [L. oberrate to wander about.] A wandering about. [Obs.] Jonhson.

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.

O*bese"ness, n. Quality of being obese; obesity.

O*bes"i*ty (?), n.[L. obesitas: cf.F. obésité.] The state or quality of being obese; incumbrance of flesh.

O*bey" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Obeyed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Obeying.] [OE. obeyen, F. obéir, 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.

O*bey", v. i. To give obedience.

Will he obey when one commands?
Tennyson.

&fist; By some old writers obey was used, as in the French idiom, with the preposition to.

His servants ye are, to whom ye obey.
Rom. vi. 16.

He commanded the trumpets to sound: to which the two brave knights obeying, they performed their courses.
Sir. P. Sidney.

O*bey"er (?), n. One who yields obedience. Holland.

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.

Ob"fir*ma"tion (?), n. [LL. obfirmatio.] Hardness of heart; obduracy. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

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.

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.

Ob`fus*ca"tion (?), n. [L. obfuscatio.] The act of darkening or bewildering; the state of being darkened. "Obfuscation of the cornea." E. Darwin.

O"bi (?), n. [Prob. of African origin.] 1. A species of sorcery, probably of African origin, practiced among the negroes of the West Indies. [Written also obe and obeah.] De Quincey. B. Edwards.

2. A charm or fetich. [West Indies] B. Edwards.

Ob*im"bri*cate (?), a. [Pref. ob- + imbricate.] (Bot.) Imbricated, with the overlapping ends directed downward.

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.

||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).

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.

O*bit"u*a*ri*ly (?), adv. In the manner of an 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.

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.

Ob*ject" (&obreve;b*j&ebreve;kt"), 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.

Ob*ject", v. i. To make opposition in words or argument; -- usually followed by to. Sir. T. More.

Ob"ject (&obreve;b"j&ebreve;kt), 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.

Ob*ject" (?), a. [L. objectus, p. p.] Opposed; presented in opposition; also, exposed. [Obs.]

Ob*ject"a*ble (?), a. Such as can be presented in opposition; that may be put forward as an objection. [R.]

Ob*jec"ti*fy (?), v. t. [Object + -fy.] To cause to become an object; to cause to assume the character of an object; to render objective. J. D. Morell.

Ob*jec"tion (?), n. [L. objectio: cf. F. objection.] 1. The act of objecting; as, to prevent agreement, or action, by objection. Johnson.

2. That which is, or may be, presented in opposition; an adverse reason or argument; a reason for objecting; obstacle; impediment; as, I have no objection to going; unreasonable objections. "Objections against every truth." Tyndale.

3. Cause of trouble; sorrow. [Obs. or R.]

He remembers the objection that lies in his bosom, and he sighs deeply.
Jer. Taylor.

Syn. -- Exception; difficulty; doubt; scruple.

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.

Ob"ject*ist (?), n. One who adheres to, or is skilled in, the objective philosophy. Ed. Rev.

Ob*jec"ti*vate (?), v. t. To objectify.

Ob*jec`ti*va"tion (?), n. Converting into an object.

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.

&fist; The objective case is frequently used without a governing word, esp. in designations of time or space, where a preposition, as at, in, on, etc., may be supplied.

My troublous dream [on] this night make me sad.
Shak.

To write of victories [in or for] next year.
Hudibras.

Objective line (Perspective), a line drawn on the geometrical plane which is represented or sought to be represented. -- Objective plane (Perspective), any plane in the horizontal plane that is represented. -- Objective point, the point or result to which the operations of an army are directed. By extension, the point or purpose to which anything, as a journey or an argument, is directed.

Syn. -- Objective, Subjective. Objective is applied to things exterior to the mind, and objects of its attention; subjective, to the operations of the mind itself. Hence, an objective motive is some outward thing awakening desire; a subjective motive is some internal feeling or propensity. Objective views are those governed by outward things; subjective views are produced or modified by internal feeling. Sir Walter Scott's poetry is chiefly objective; that of Wordsworth is eminently subjective.

In the philosophy of mind, subjective denotes what is to be referred to the thinking subject, the ego; objective what belongs to the object of thought, the non- ego.
Sir. W. Hamilton

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.

Ob*jec"tive*ly, adv. In the manner or state of an object; as, a determinate idea objectively in the mind.

Ob*jec"tive*ness, n. Objectivity.

Is there such a motion or objectiveness of external bodies, which produceth light?
Sir M. Hale

Ob`jec*tiv"i*ty (?), n. [Cf.F. objectivité.] The state, quality, or relation of being objective; character of the object or of the objective.

The calm, the cheerfulness, the disinterested objectivity have disappeared [in the life of the Greeks].
M. Arnold.

Ob"ject*ize (?), v. t. To make an object of; to regard as an object; to place in the position of an object.

In the latter, as objectized by the former, arise the emotions and affections.
Coleridge.

Ob"ject*less, a. Having no object; purposeless.

Ob*ject"or (?), n. [L., an accuser.] One who objects; one who offers objections to a proposition or measure.

Ob*jib"ways (?), n. pl. See Chippeways.

Ob*jic"i*ent (?), n. [L. objiciens, p. pr. of objicere to object.] One who makes objection; an objector. [R.] Cardinal Wiseman.

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.

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.

Ob`jur*ga"tion (?), n. [L. objurgatio: cf.F. objurgation.] The act of objurgating; reproof.

While the good lady was bestowing this objurgation on Mr. Ben Allen.
Dickens.

With a strong objurgation of the elbow in his ribs.
Landor.

Ob*jur"ga*to*ry (?), a. [L. objurgatorius.] Designed to objurgate or chide; containing or expressing reproof; culpatory. Bancroft.

The objurgatory question of the Pharisees.
Paley.

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.

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.

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.

Ob*late"ness, n. The quality or state of being oblate.

||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.

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.

Ob*la"tion*er (?), n. One who makes an offering as an act worship or reverence. Dr. H. More.

Ob*la"trate (?), v. i. [L. oblatratus, p. p. of oblatrare to bark against.] To bark or snarl, as a dog. [Obs.]

Ob`la*tra"tion (?), n. The act of oblatrating; a barking or snarling. Bp. Hall.

||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.

Ob*lec"tate (?), v. t. [L. oblectatus, p. p. of oblectare.] To delight; to please greatly. [Obs.]

Ob"lec*ta"tion (?), n. [L. oblectatio.] The act of pleasing highly; the state of being greatly pleased; delight. [R.] Feltham.

Ob"li*ga*ble (?), a. Acknowledging, or complying with, obligation; trustworthy. [R.]

The main difference between people seems to be, that one man can come under obligations on which you can rely, -- is obligable; and another is not.
Emerson.

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.

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.

||Ob"li*ga"to (?), a. [It.] See Obbligato.

Ob"li*ga*to*ri*ly (?), adv. In an obligatory manner; by reason of obligation. Foxe.

Ob"li*ga*to*ri*ness, n. The quality or state of being obligatory.

Ob"li*ga*to*ry (?), a. [L. obligatorius: cf.F. obligatoire.] Binding in law or conscience; imposing duty or obligation; requiring performance or forbearance of some act; -- often followed by on or upon; as, obedience is obligatory on a soldier.

As long as the law is obligatory, so long our obedience is due.
Jer. Taylor.

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.

Ob"li*gee" (?), n. [F. obligé, p. p. of obliger. See Oblige.] The person to whom another is bound, or the person to whom a bond is given. Blackstone.

O*blige"ment (?), n. Obligation. [R.]

I will not resist, therefore, whatever it is, either of divine or human obligement, that you lay upon me.
Milton.

O*bli"ger (?), n. One who, or that which, obliges. Sir H. Wotton.

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.

Ob`li*gor" (?), n. The person who binds himself, or gives his bond to another. Blackstone.

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.]

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.

Ob*lique", n. (Geom.) An oblique line.

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.

Ob*lique"-an`gled (?), a. Having oblique angles; as, an oblique-angled triangle.

Ob*lique"ly, adv. In an oblique manner; not directly; indirectly. "Truth obliquely leveled." Bp. Fell.

Declining from the noon of day,
The sun obliquely shoots his burning ray.
Pope

His discourse tends obliquely to the detracting from others.
Addison.

Ob*lique"ness, n. Quality or state of being oblique.

Ob*liq"ui*ty, n.; pl. Obliquities (#). [L. obliquitas: cf. F. obliquité.] 1. The condition of being oblique; deviation from a right line; deviation from parallelism or perpendicularity; the amount of such deviation; divergence; as, the obliquity of the ecliptic to the equator.

2. Deviation from ordinary rules; irregularity; deviation from moral rectitude.

To disobey [God] . . . imports a moral obliquity.
South.

Ob"lite (?), a. [L. oblitus, p. p. pf oblinere to besmear.] Indistinct; slurred over. [Obs.] "Obscure and oblite mention." Fuller.

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.

Ob*lit"er*ate (?), a. (Zoöl.) Scarcely distinct; -- applied to the markings of insects.

Ob*lit`er*a"tion (?), n. [L. obliteratio: cf.F. oblitération.] The act of obliterating, or the state of being obliterated; extinction. Sir. M. Hale.

Ob*lit"er*a*tive (?), a. Tending or serving to obliterate.

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.

Ob*liv"i*ous (?), a. [L. obliviosus: cf.F. oblivieux.]

1. Promoting oblivion; causing forgetfulness. "The oblivious pool." Milton.

She lay in deep, oblivious slumber.
Longfellow.

2. Evincing oblivion; forgetful.

Through are both weak in body and oblivious.
Latimer.

-- Obliv"i*ous*ly, adv. -- Ob*liv"i*ous*ness, n. Foxe.

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.

Ob"long (?), a. [L. oblongus; ob (see Ob-) + longus long: cf. F. oblong.] Having greater length than breadth, esp. when rectangular.

Ob"long, n. A rectangular figure longer than it is broad; hence, any figure longer than it is broad.

The best figure of a garden I esteem an oblong upon a descent.
Sir W. Temple.

||Ob`lon*ga"ta (?), n. [NL.] (Anat.) The medulla oblongata. B. G. Wilder.

Ob"lon*ga"tal (?), a. Of or pertaining to the medulla oblongata; medullar.

Ob"long*ish (?), a. Somewhat oblong.

Ob"long*ly, adv. In an oblong form.

Ob"long*ness, n. State or quality of being oblong.

Ob"long-o"vate (?), a. Between oblong and ovate, but inclined to the latter.

||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.

Ob*lo"qui*ous (?), a. Containing obloquy; reproachful [R.] Naunton.

Ob"lo*quy (&obreve;b"l&osl;*kw&ybreve;), 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.

Ob`luc*ta"tion (?), n. [L. oblictutio, fr. obluctari to struggle against.] A struggle against; resistance; opposition. [Obs.] Fotherby.

Ob`mu*tes"cence (&obreve;b`m&usl;*t&ebreve;s"sens), 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.

Ob*nox"ious (&obreve;b*n&obreve;k"shŭs), 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.

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.

O"boe (?), n. [It., fr. F. hautbois. See Hautboy.] (Mus.) One of the higher wind instruments in the modern orchestra, yet of great antiquity, having a penetrating pastoral quality of tone, somewhat like the clarinet in form, but more slender, and sounded by means of a double reed; a hautboy.

||Oboe d'amore [It., lit., oboe of love], and ||Oboe di caccia [It., lit., oboe of the chase], are names of obsolete modifications of the oboe, often found in the scores of Bach and Handel.

O"bo*ist (?), n. A performer on the oboe.

Ob"o*la*ry (?), a. [See Obolus.] Possessing only small coins; impoverished. [R.] Lamb.

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.]

Ob"o*lize (?), v. t. See Obelize.

Ob"o*lo (?), n. [Cf. Obolus.] A copper coin, used in the Ionian Islands, about one cent in value.

||Ob"o*lus (?), n.;pl. Oboli (#). [L., fr Gr. (&?;)] (Gr.Antiq.) (a) A small silver coin of Athens, the sixth part of a drachma, about three cents in value. (b) An ancient weight, the sixth part of a drachm.

Ob`o*me"goid (?), a. [Pref. ob- + omegoid.] (Zoöl.) Obversely omegoid.

Ob*o"val (?), a. [Pref. ob- + oval.] Obovate.

Ob*o"vate (?). a. [Pref. ob- + ovate.] (Bot.) Inversely ovate; ovate with the narrow end downward; as, an obovate leaf.

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.

Ob`rep*ti"tious (?), a. [L. obreptitus. See Obreption.] Done or obtained by surprise; with secrecy, or by concealment of the truth. [R.] Cotgrave.

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.

||Ob"rok (?), n. [Russ. obrok'.] (a) A rent. (b) A poll tax paid by peasants absent from their lord's estate. [Russia] Brande & C.

Ob*scene" (?), a. [L. obscenus, obscaenus, obscoenus, ill looking, filthy, obscene: cf. F. obscéne.]

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.

Words that were once chaste, by frequent use grew obscene and uncleanly.
I. Watts.

2. Foul; fifthy; disgusting.

A girdle foul with grease b&?;&?;ds his obscene attire.
Dryden.

3. Inauspicious; ill-omened. [R.] [A Latinism]

At the cheerful light,
The groaning ghosts and birds obscene take flight.
Dryden.

Syn. -- Impure; immodest; indecent; unchaste; lewd.

-- Ob*scene"ly, adv. -- Ob*scene"ness, n.

Ob*scen"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Obscenities (#). [L. obscentias: cf.F. obscénité.] That quality in words or things which presents what is offensive to chasity or purity of mind; obscene or impure lanquage or acts; moral impurity; lewdness; obsceneness; as, the obscenity of a speech, or a picture.

Mr.Cowley asserts plainly, that obscenity has no place in wit.
Dryden.

No pardon vile obscenity should find.
Pope.

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.

Ob*scur"ant*ism (?), n. The system or the principles of the obscurants. C. Kingsley.

Ob*scur"ant*ist, n. Same as Obscurant. Ed. Rev.

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.

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.

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.

Ob*scure" (?), v. i. To conceal one's self; to hide; to keep dark. [Obs.]

How! There's bad news.
I must obscure, and hear it.
Beau. & Fl.

Ob*scure", n. Obscurity. [Obs.] Milton.

Ob*scure"ly, adv. In an obscure manner. Milton.

Ob*scure"ment (?), n. The act of obscuring, or the state of being obscured; obscuration. Pomfret.

Ob*scure"ness, n. Obscurity. Bp. Hall.

Ob*scur"er (?), n. One who, or that which, obscures.

Ob*scu"ri*ty (?), n. [L. obscuritas: cf. F. obscurité.] 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.

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.

Ob"se*cra"tion (?), n. [L. obsecratio: cf. F. obsecration.] 1. The act of obsecrating or imploring; as, the obsecrations of the Litany, being those clauses beginning with "By." Bp. Stillingfeet. Shipley.

2. (Rhet.) A figure of speech in which the orator implores the assistance of God or man.

Ob"se*cra*to*ry (?), a. Expressing, or used in, entreaty; supplicatory. [R.] Bp. Hall.

Ob"se*quent (?), a. [L. obsequens, p. pr. of obsequi; ob (see Ob- ) + sequi. See Sequence.] Obedient; submissive; obsequious. [Obs.] Fotherby.

Ob*se"qui*ence (?), n. Obsequiousness. [R.]

Ob"se*quies (?), n. pl. See Obsequy.

Ob*se"qui*ous (?), a. [L. obsequiosus, fr. obsequium compliance, fr. obsequi, fr. obsequi: cf. F. obséquieux, 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.

Ob*se"qui*ous*ly, adv. 1. In an obsequious manner; compliantly; fawningly. Dryden.

2. In a manner appropriate to obsequies. [Obs.]

Whilst I a while obsequiously lament
The untimely fall of virtuous Lancaster.
Shak.

Ob*se"qui*ous*ness, n. The quality or state of being obsequious. South.

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.

Ob*serv"a*ble (?), a. [L. observabilis: cf.F. observable.] Worthy or capable of being observed; discernible; noticeable; remarkable. Sir. T. Browne.

The difference is sufficiently observable.
Southey.

-- Ob*serv"a*ble*ness, n. -- Ob*serv"a*bly, adv.

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.

Ob*serv"an*cy (?), n. Observance. [Obs.]

||Ob*ser`van"dum (?), n.; pl. Observanda (#). [L.] A thing to be observed. Swift.

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.

Ob*serv"ant, n. 1. One who observes forms and rules. [Obs.] Hooker.

2. A sycophantic servant. [Obs.]

Silly ducking observants,
That stretch their duties nicely.
Shak.

3. (R.C.Ch.) An Observantine.

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.

Ob*serv"ant*ly, adv. In an observant manner.

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.

&fist; 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.

Ob`ser*va"tion*al (?), a. Of a pertaining to observation; consisting of, or containing, observations. Chalmers.

Ob*serv"a*tive (?), a. Observing; watchful.

Ob"ser*va`tor (?), n. [L.] 1. One who observes or takes notice. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.

2. One who makes a remark. [Obs.] Dryden.

Ob*serv"a*to*ry (?), n.; pl. Observatories (#). [Cf. F. observatoire.] 1. A place or building for making observations on the heavenly bodies.

The new observatory in Greenwich Park.
Evelyn.

2. A building fitted with instruments for making systematic observations of any particular class or series of natural phenomena.

3. A place, as an elevated chamber, from which a view may be observed or commanded.

4. (Mil.) A lookout on a flank of a battery whence an officer can note the range and effect of the fire. Farrow.

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.

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.

Ob*serv"er (?), n. 1. One who observes, or pays attention to, anything; especially, one engaged in, or trained to habits of, close and exact observation; as, an astronomical observer.

The observed of all observers.
Shak.

Careful observers may foretell the hour,
By sure prognostic, when to dread a shower.
Swift.

2. One who keeps any law, custom, regulation, rite, etc.; one who conforms to anything in practice. "Diligent observers of old customs." Spenser.

These . . . hearkend unto observers of times.
Deut. xviii. 14.

3. One who fulfills or performs; as, an observer of his promises.

4. A sycophantic follower. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

Ob*serv"er*ship (?), n. The office or work of an observer.

Ob*serv"ing, a. Giving particular attention; habitually attentive to what passes; as, an observing person; an observing mind. -- Ob*serv"ing*ly, adv.

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.

Ob*ses"sion (?), n. [L. obsessio: cf.F. obsession.] 1. The act of besieging. Johnson.

2. The state of being besieged; -- used specifically of a person beset by a spirit from without. Tylor.

Whether by obsession or possession, I will not determine.
Burton.

Ob*sid"i*an (?), n. [L. Obsidianus lapis, so named, according to Pliny, after one Obsidius, who discovered it in Ethiopia: cf.F. obsidiane, obsidienne. The later editions of Pliny read Obsianus lapis, and Obsius, instead of Obsidianus lapis, and Obsidius.] (Min.) A kind of glass produced by volcanoes. It is usually of a black color, and opaque, except in thin splinters.

&fist; In a thin section it often exhibits a fluidal structure, marked by the arrangement of microlites in the lines of the flow of the molten mass.

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.

Ob*sig`il*la"tion (?), n. [L. ob (see Ob-) + sigillum a seal.] A sealing up. [Obs.] Maunder.

Ob*sign" (?), v. t. [See Obsignate.] To seal; to confirm, as by a seal or stamp. [Obs.] Bradford.

Ob*sig"nate (?), v. t. [L. obsignated, p. p. of obsignare to seal. See Ob-, and Sign.] To seal; to ratify. [Obs.] Barrow.

Ob`sig*na"tion (?), n. [L. obsignatio.] The act of sealing or ratifying; the state of being sealed or confirmed; confirmation, as by the Holy Spirit.

The spirit of manifestation will but upbraid you in the shame and horror of a sad eternity, if you have not the spirit of obsignation.
Jer. Taylor.

Ob*sig"na*to*ry (?), a. Ratifying; confirming by sealing. [Obs.] Samuel Ward (1643)

Ob`so*lesce" (?), v. i. [L. obsolescere. See Obsolescent.] To become obsolescent. [R.] Fitzed. Hall.

Ob`so*les"cence (?), n. [See Obsolescent.] The state of becoming obsolete.

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.

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.

Ob"so*lete, v. i. To become obsolete; to go out of use. [R.] Fitzed. Hall.

Ob"so*lete*ly, adv. In an obsolete manner.

Ob"so*lete*ness, n. 1. The state of being obsolete, or no longer used; a state of desuetude.

2. (Biol.) Indistinctness; want of development.

Ob"so*let*ism (?), n. A disused word or phrase; an archaism. Fitzed. Hall.

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.

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. obstétrique. 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.

Ob*stet"ri*cate (?), v. i. [L. obstetricatus, p. p. of obstetricare, fr. obstetrix.] To perform the office of midwife. [Obs.] "Nature does obstetricate." Evelyn.

Ob*stet"ri*cate, v. t. To assist as a midwife. [Obs.] E. Waterhouse.

Ob*stet"ri*ca"tion (?), n. The act of assisting as a midwife; delivery. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Ob`ste*tri"cian (?), n. One skilled in obstetrics; an accoucheur.

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.

Ob*stet"rics (?), n. [Cf. F. obstétrique. See Obstetric.] The science of midwifery; the art of assisting women in parturition, or in the trouble incident to childbirth.

Ob*stet"ri*cy (?), n. Obstetrics. [R.] Dunglison.

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.

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.

Ob`sti*na"tion (?), n. [L. obstinatio.] Obstinacy; stubb