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Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

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    OBLIQUELY — OBTEST

    OBLIQUELY, adv.

    1. In a line deviating from a right line; not directly; not perpendicularly.NWAD OBLIQUELY.2

    Declining from the noon of day, the sun obliquely shoots his burning ray.NWAD OBLIQUELY.3

    2. Indirectly; by a side glance; by an allusion; not in the direct or plain meaning.NWAD OBLIQUELY.4

    His discourse tends obliquely to the detracting from others.NWAD OBLIQUELY.5

    OBLIQUENESS, n. Obliquity.

    OBLIQUITY, n. [L. obliquitas.]

    1. Deviation from a right line; deviation from parallelism or perpendicularity; as the obliquity of the ecliptic to the equator.NWAD OBLIQUITY.2

    2. Deviation from moral rectitude.NWAD OBLIQUITY.3

    To disobey God or oppose his will in any thing imports a moral obliquity.NWAD OBLIQUITY.4

    3. Irregularity; deviation from ordinary rules.NWAD OBLIQUITY.5

    OBLITERATE, v.t. [L. oblitero; ob and litera, letter.]

    1. To efface; to erase or blot out any thing written; or to efface any thing engraved. A writing may be obliterated by erasure, by blotting, or by the slow operation of time or natural causes.NWAD OBLITERATE.2

    2. To efface; to wear out; to destroy by time or other means; as, to obliterate ideas or impressions; to obliterate the monuments of antiquity; to obliterate reproach.NWAD OBLITERATE.3

    3. To reduce to a very low or imperceptible state.NWAD OBLITERATE.4

    The torpor of the vascular system and obliterated pulse.NWAD OBLITERATE.5

    OBLITERATED, pp. Effaced; erased; worn out; destroyed.

    OBLITERATING, ppr. Effacing; wearing out; destroying.

    OBLITERATION, n. The act of effacing; effacement; a blotting out or wearing out; extinction.

    OBLIVION, n. [L. oblivio.]

    1. Forgetfulness; cessation of remembrance.NWAD OBLIVION.2

    Among our crimes oblivion may be set.NWAD OBLIVION.3

    2. A forgetting of offenses, or remission of punishment. An act of oblivion is an amnesty, or general pardon of crimes and offenses, granted by a sovereign, by which punishment is remitted.NWAD OBLIVION.4

    OBLIVIOUS, a. [L. obliviosus.]

    1. Causing forgetfulness.NWAD OBLIVIOUS.2

    The oblivious calm of indifference.NWAD OBLIVIOUS.3

    Behold the wonders of th’ oblivious lake.NWAD OBLIVIOUS.4

    2. Forgetful.NWAD OBLIVIOUS.5

    OBLOCUTOR, n. A gainsayer. [Not in use.]

    OBLONG, a. [L. oblongus.] Longer than broad.

    OBLONG, n. A figure or solid which is longer than it is broad.

    OBLONGISH, a. Somewhat oblong.

    OBLONGLY, a. In an oblong form.

    OBLONGNESS, n. The state of being longer than broad.

    OBLONG-OVATE, a. In botany, between oblong and ovate, but inclined to the latter.

    OBLOQUIOUS, a. [See Obloquy.] Containing obloquy; reproachful. [Little used.]

    OBLOQUY, n. [L. obloquor; ob and loquor, to speak.]

    1. Censorious speech; reproachful language; language that casts contempt on men or their actions.NWAD OBLOQUY.2

    Shall names that made your city the glory of the earth, be mentioned with obloquy and detraction?NWAD OBLOQUY.3

    2. Cause of reproach; disgrace. [Not used.]NWAD OBLOQUY.4

    OBLUCTATION, n. [L. obluctor; ob and luctor, to struggle.]

    A struggling or striving against; resistance. [Little used.]NWAD OBLUCTATION.2

    OBMUTESCENCE, n. [L. obmutesco, to be silent.]

    1. Loss of speech; silence,NWAD OBMUTESCENCE.2

    2. A keeping silence.NWAD OBMUTESCENCE.3

    OBNOXIOUS, a. [L. obnoxius; ob and noxius, hurtful, from noceo.]

    1. Subject; answerable.NWAD OBNOXIOUS.2

    The writings of lawyers, which are tied and obnoxious to their particular laws.NWAD OBNOXIOUS.3

    2. Liable; subject to cognizance or punishment.NWAD OBNOXIOUS.4

    We know ourselves obnoxious to God’s severe justice.NWAD OBNOXIOUS.5

    3. Liable; exposed; as friendship obnoxious to jealousies.NWAD OBNOXIOUS.6

    4. Reprehensible; censurable; not approved; as obnoxious authors.NWAD OBNOXIOUS.7

    5. Odious; hateful; offensive; with to; as, the minister was obnoxious to the whigs.NWAD OBNOXIOUS.8

    6. Hurtful; noxious.NWAD OBNOXIOUS.9

    OBNOXIOUSLY, adv.

    1. In a state of subjection or liability.NWAD OBNOXIOUSLY.2

    2. Reprehensibly; odiously; offensively.NWAD OBNOXIOUSLY.3

    OBNOXIOUSNESS, n.

    1. Subjection or liableness to punishment.NWAD OBNOXIOUSNESS.2

    2. Odiousness; offensiveness. The obnoxiousness of the law rendered the legislature unpopular.NWAD OBNOXIOUSNESS.3

    OBNUBILATE, v.t. [L. obnubilor; ob and nubilo; nubes, mist, cloud.]

    To cloud; to obscure.NWAD OBNUBILATE.2

    OBNUBILATION, n. The act or operation of making dark or obscure.

    OBOLE, n. [L. obolus.] In pharmacy, the weight of ten grains or half a scruple.

    OBOLUS, n. [L. from G.] A small silver coin of Athens, the sixth part of a drachma, about two cents in value, or a penny farthing sterling.

    OBOVATE, a. In botany, inversely ovate; having the narrow end downward; as an obovate leaf.

    OBREPTION, n. [L. obrepo; ob and repo, to creep.]

    The act of creeping on with secrecy or by surprise.NWAD OBREPTION.2

    OBREPTITIOUS, a. [supra.] Done or obtained by surprise; with secrecy or by concealment of the truth.

    OBSCENE, a. [L. obscaenus.]

    1. Offensive to chastity and delicacy; impure; expressing or presenting to the mind or view something which delicacy, purity and decency forbid; to be exposed; as obscene language; obscene pictures.NWAD OBSCENE.2

    2. Foul; filthy; offensive; disgusting.NWAD OBSCENE.3

    A girdle foul with grease binds his obscene attire.NWAD OBSCENE.4

    3. Inauspicious; ill omened.NWAD OBSCENE.5

    At the cheerful light, the groaning ghosts and birds obscene take flight.NWAD OBSCENE.6

    OBSCENELY, adv. In a manner offensive to chastity or purity; impurely; unchastely.

    OBSCENENESS, OBSCENITY, n. [L. obscaenitas.]

    1. Impurity in expression or representation; that quality in words or things which presents what is offensive to chastity or purity of mind; ribaldry.NWAD OBSCENENESS.2

    Cowley asserts plainly that obscenity has no place in wit.NWAD OBSCENENESS.3

    Those fables were tempered with the Italian severity, and free from any note of infamy or obsceneness.NWAD OBSCENENESS.4

    No pardon vile obscenity should find.NWAD OBSCENENESS.5

    2. Unchaste actions; lewdness.NWAD OBSCENENESS.6

    To wash th’ obscenities of night away.NWAD OBSCENENESS.7

    OBSCURATION, n. [L. obscuratio.]

    1. The act of darkening.NWAD OBSCURATION.2

    2. The state of being darkened or obscured; as the obscuration of the moon in an eclipse.NWAD OBSCURATION.3

    OBSCURE, a. [L. obscurus.]

    1. Dark; destitute of light.NWAD OBSCURE.2

    Whoso curseth his father or mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. Proverbs 20:20.NWAD OBSCURE.3

    2. Living in darkness; as the obscure bird.NWAD OBSCURE.4

    3. Not easily understood; not obviously intelligible; abstruse; as an obscure passage in a writing.NWAD OBSCURE.5

    4. Not much known or observed; retired; remote from observation; as an obscure retreat.NWAD OBSCURE.6

    5. Not noted; unknown; unnoticed; humble; mean; as an obscure person; a person of obscure birth.NWAD OBSCURE.7

    6. Not easily legible; as an obscure inscription.NWAD OBSCURE.8

    7. Not clear, full or distinct; imperfect; as an obscure view of remote objects.NWAD OBSCURE.9

    OBSCURE, v.t. [L. obscuro.]

    1. To darken; to make dark. The shadow of the earth obscures the moon, and the body of the moon obscures the sun, in an eclipse.NWAD OBSCURE.11

    2. To cloud; to make partially dark. Thick clouds obscure the day.NWAD OBSCURE.12

    3. To hide from the view; as, clouds obscure the sun.NWAD OBSCURE.13

    4. To make less visible.NWAD OBSCURE.14

    Why, ‘tis an office of discovery, love, and I should be obscured.NWAD OBSCURE.15

    5. To make less legible; as, time has obscured the writing.NWAD OBSCURE.16

    6. To make less intelligible.NWAD OBSCURE.17

    There is scarce any duty which has been so obscured by the writings of the learned as this.NWAD OBSCURE.18

    7. To make less glorious, beautiful or illustrious.NWAD OBSCURE.19

    - And see’st not sin obscures thy godlike frame?NWAD OBSCURE.20

    8. To conceal; to make unknown.NWAD OBSCURE.21

    9. To tarnish; as, to obscure brightness.NWAD OBSCURE.22

    OBSCURELY, adv.

    1. Darkly; not clearly; imperfectly; as an object obscurely seen; obscurely visible.NWAD OBSCURELY.2

    2. Out of sight; in a state not to be noticed; privately; in retirement; not conspicuously.NWAD OBSCURELY.3

    There live retired, content thyself to be obscurely good.NWAD OBSCURELY.4

    3. Not clearly; not plainly to the mind; darkly; as future events obscurely revealed.NWAD OBSCURELY.5

    4. Not plainly; indirectly; by hints or allusion.NWAD OBSCURELY.6

    OBSCURENESS, OBSCURITY, n. [L. obscuritas.]

    1. Darkness; want of light.NWAD OBSCURENESS.2

    We wait for light, but behold obscurity. Isaiah 59:9.NWAD OBSCURENESS.3

    2. A state of retirement from the world; a state of being unnoticed; privacy.NWAD OBSCURENESS.4

    You are not for obscurity designed.NWAD OBSCURENESS.5

    3. Darkness of meaning; unintelligibleness; as the obscurity of writings or of a particular passage.NWAD OBSCURENESS.6

    4. Illegibleness; as the obscurity of letters or of an inscription.NWAD OBSCURENESS.7

    5. A state of being unknown to fame; humble condition; as the obscurity of birth or parentage.NWAD OBSCURENESS.8

    OBSECRATE, v.t. [L. obsecro.] To beseech; to intreat; to supplicate; to pray earnestly.

    OBSECRATION, n.

    1. Intreaty; supplication.NWAD OBSECRATION.2

    2. A figure of rhetoric, in which the orator implores the assistance of God or man.NWAD OBSECRATION.3

    OBSEQUENT, a. [L. obsequens.] Obedient; submissive to. [Little used.]

    OBSEQUIES, n. plu. [L. obsequium, complaisance, from obsequor, to follow.]

    Funeral rites and solemnities; the last duties performed to a deceased person.NWAD OBSEQUIES.2

    [Milton uses the word in the singular, but the common usage is different.]NWAD OBSEQUIES.3

    OBSEQUIOUS, a. [from L. obsequium, complaisance, from obsequor, to follow; ob and sequor.]

    1. Promptly obedient or submissive to the will of another; compliant; yielding to the desires of others, properly to the will or command of a superior, but in actual use, it often signifies yielding to the will or desires of such as have no right to control.NWAD OBSEQUIOUS.2

    His servants weeping, obsequious to his orders, bear him hither.NWAD OBSEQUIOUS.3

    2. Servilely or meanly condescending; compliant to excess; as an obsequious flatterer, minion or parasite.NWAD OBSEQUIOUS.4

    3. Funereal; pertaining to funeral rites. [Not used.]NWAD OBSEQUIOUS.5

    OBSEQUIOUSLY, adv.

    1. With ready obedience; with prompt compliance.NWAD OBSEQUIOUSLY.2

    They rise and with respectful awe, at the word given, obsequiously withdraw.NWAD OBSEQUIOUSLY.3

    2. With reverence for the dead. [Not used.]NWAD OBSEQUIOUSLY.4

    OBSEQUIOUSNESS, n.

    1. Ready obedience; prompt compliance with the orders of a superior.NWAD OBSEQUIOUSNESS.2

    2. Servile submission; mean or excessive complaisance.NWAD OBSEQUIOUSNESS.3

    They apply themselves both to his interest and humor, with all the arts of flattery and obsequiousness.NWAD OBSEQUIOUSNESS.4

    OBSERVABLE, a. s as z. [See Observe.]

    1. That may be observed or noticed.NWAD OBSERVABLE.2

    2. Worthy of observation or of particular notice; remarkable.NWAD OBSERVABLE.3

    I took a just account of every observable circumstance of the earth, stone, metal or other matter.NWAD OBSERVABLE.4

    OBSERVABLY, adv. s as z. In a manner worthy of note.

    OBSERVANCE, n. s as z.

    1. The act of observing; the act of keeping or adhering to in practice; performance; as the observance of rules, rites, ceremonies or laws.NWAD OBSERVANCE.2

    Love rigid honesty, and strict observance of impartial laws.NWAD OBSERVANCE.3

    2. Respect; ceremonial reverence in practice.NWAD OBSERVANCE.4

    To do observance on the morn of May.NWAD OBSERVANCE.5

    3. Performance of rites, religious ceremonies or external service.NWAD OBSERVANCE.6

    Some represent to themselves the whole of religion as consisting in a few easy observances.NWAD OBSERVANCE.7

    4. Rule of practice; thing to be observed.NWAD OBSERVANCE.8

    5. Observation; attention. [Little used.]NWAD OBSERVANCE.9

    6. Obedient regard or attention.NWAD OBSERVANCE.10

    Having had experience of his fidelity and observance abroad. [Not used.]NWAD OBSERVANCE.11

    OBSERVANDA, n. plu. s as z. [L.] Things to be observed.

    OBSERVANT, a. s as z.

    1. Taking notice; attentively viewing or noticing; as an observant spectator or traveler.NWAD OBSERVANT.2

    2. Obedient; adhering to in practice; with of. He is very observant of the rules of his order.NWAD OBSERVANT.3

    We are told how observant Alexander was of his master Aristotle.NWAD OBSERVANT.4

    3. Carefully attentive; submissive.NWAD OBSERVANT.5

    OBSERVANT, n. s as z.

    1. A slavish attendant. [Not in use.]NWAD OBSERVANT.7

    2. A diligent observer.NWAD OBSERVANT.8

    OBSERVATION, n. s as z. [L. observatio. See Observe.]

    1. The act of observing or taking notice; the act of seeing or of fixing the mind on any thing. We apply the word to simple vision, as when one says, a spot on the sun’s disk did not fall under his observation; or to the notice or cognizance of the mind, as when one says, the distinction made by the orator escaped his observation. When however it expresses vision, it often represents a more fixed or particular view than a mere transient sight; as an astronomical observation.NWAD OBSERVATION.2

    2. Notion gained by observing; the effect or result of seeing or taking cognizance in the mind, and either retained in the mind or expressed in words; inference or something arising out of the act of seeing or noticing, or that which is produced by thinking and reflecting on a subject; note; remark; animadversion. We often say, I made the observation in my own mind; but properly an observation is that which is expressed as the result of viewing or of thinking.NWAD OBSERVATION.3

    In matters of human prudence, we shall find the greatest advantage by making wise observations on our conduct.NWAD OBSERVATION.4

    3. Observance; adherence to in practice; performance of what is prescribed.NWAD OBSERVATION.5

    He freed the christian church from the external observation and obedience of legal precepts not formally moral.NWAD OBSERVATION.6

    4. In navigation, the taking of the altitude of the sun or a star in order to find the latitude.NWAD OBSERVATION.7

    OBSERVATOR, n. s as z.

    1. One that observes or takes notice.NWAD OBSERVATOR.2

    2. A remarker.NWAD OBSERVATOR.3

    OBSERVATORY, n. s as z.

    A place or building for making observations on the heavenly bodies; as the royal observatory at Greenwich.NWAD OBSERVATORY.2

    OBSERVE, v.t. obzerv’. [L. observo; ob and servo, to keep or hold. The sense is to hold in view, or to keep the eyes on.]

    1. To see or behold with some attention; to notice; as, to observe a halo round the moon; I observed a singular phenomenon; we observe strangers or their dress. I saw the figure, but observed nothing peculiar in it.NWAD OBSERVE.2

    2. To take notice or cognizance of by the intellect. We observe nice distinctions in arguments, or a peculiar delicacy of thought.NWAD OBSERVE.3

    3. To utter or express, as a remark, opinion or sentiment; to remark. He observed that no man appears great to his domestics.NWAD OBSERVE.4

    4. To keep religiously; to celebrate.NWAD OBSERVE.5

    A night to be much observed to the Lord. Exodus 12:42.NWAD OBSERVE.6

    Ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread. Exodus 12:17.NWAD OBSERVE.7

    Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. Galatians 4:10.NWAD OBSERVE.8

    5. To keep or adhere to in practice; to comply with; to obey; as, to observe the laws of the state; to observe the rules and regulations of a society.NWAD OBSERVE.9

    Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. Matthew 28:20.NWAD OBSERVE.10

    6. To practice.NWAD OBSERVE.11

    In the days of Enoch, the people observed not circumcision or the sabbath.NWAD OBSERVE.12

    OBSERVE, v.i. observ’.

    1. To remark. I have heard the gentleman’s arguments, and shall hereafter observe upon them.NWAD OBSERVE.14

    2. To be attentive.NWAD OBSERVE.15

    OBSERVED, pp. s as z.

    1. Noticed by the eye or the mind.NWAD OBSERVED.2

    2. Kept religiously; celebrated; practiced.NWAD OBSERVED.3

    OBSERVER, n. s as z.

    1. One who observes; one that takes notice; particularly, one who looks to with care, attention or vigilance.NWAD OBSERVER.2

    Careful observers may foretell the hour, by sure prognostic, when to dread a shower.NWAD OBSERVER.3

    Creditors are great observers of set days and times.NWAD OBSERVER.4

    2. A beholder; a looker on; a spectator.NWAD OBSERVER.5

    3. One who keeps any law, custom, regulation or rite; one who adheres to any thing in practice; one who performs; as a great observer of forms; an observer of old customs.NWAD OBSERVER.6

    4. One who fulfills or performs; as, he is a strict observer of his word or promise.NWAD OBSERVER.7

    5. One who keeps religiously; as an observer of the sabbath.NWAD OBSERVER.8

    OBSERVING, ppr. s as z.

    1. Taking notice by the eye or the intellect.NWAD OBSERVING.2

    2. Remarking.NWAD OBSERVING.3

    3. Keeping; adhering to in practice; fulfilling.NWAD OBSERVING.4

    4. a. Giving particular attention; habitually taking notice; attentive to what passes. He is an observing man.NWAD OBSERVING.5

    OBSERVINGLY, adv. s as z. Attentively; carefully; with close observation.

    OBSESS, v.t. [L. obsideo, obsessus; ob and sedeo, to sit.] To besiege. [Not used.]

    OBSESSION, n. [L. obsessio.] The act of besieging; the first attack of Satan antecedent to possession. [Little used.]

    OBSIDIAN, n. A mineral of two kinds, translucent and transparent. The translucent has a velvet black color; the transparent is of a dark blue. These occur massive in porphyry, gneiss or granite, generally invested with a gray opake crust.

    The fracture of obsidian is vitreous or pearly; hence the two varieties, vitreous obsidian and pearlstone.NWAD OBSIDIAN.2

    OBSIDIONAL, a. [L. obsidionalis; ob and sedeo, to sit.] Pertaining to a siege.

    OBSIGNATE, v.t. [L. obsigno; ob and signo, to seal.] To seal up; to ratify. [Little used.]

    OBSIGNATION, n. The act of sealing; ratification by sealing; confirmation.

    OBSIGNATORY, a. Ratifying; confirming by sealing.

    OBSOLESCENT, a. [L. obsolesco, to go out of use.]

    Going out of use; passing into desuetude.NWAD OBSOLESCENT.2

    All the words compounded of here and a preposition, except hereafter, are obsolete or absolescent.NWAD OBSOLESCENT.3

    OBSOLETE, a. [L. obsoletus.]

    1. Gone into disuse; disused; neglected; as an obsolete word; an obsolete statute; applied chiefly to words or writings.NWAD OBSOLETE.2

    2. In botany, obscure; not very distinct.NWAD OBSOLETE.3

    OBSOLETENESS, n.

    1. The state of being neglected in use; a state of desuetude.NWAD OBSOLETENESS.2

    2. In botany, indistinctness.NWAD OBSOLETENESS.3

    OBSTACLE, n. [L. obsto, to withstand; ob and sto.]

    That which opposes; any thing that stands in the way and hinders progress; hinderance; obstruction, either in a physical or moral sense. An army may meet with obstacles on its march; bad roads are obstacles to traveling; prejudice is an obstacle to improvement; want of union is often an insuperable obstacle to beneficial measures.NWAD OBSTACLE.2

    OBSTANCY, n. [L. obstantia; ob and sto.] Opposition; impediment; obstruction. [Not used.]

    OBSTETRIC, a. [L. obstetrix, a midwife; ob and sto, to stand before.]

    Pertaining to midwifery, or the delivery of women in childbed; as the obstetric art.NWAD OBSTETRIC.2

    OBSTETRICATE, v.i. [See Obstetric.] To perform the office of a midwife. [Little used.]

    OBSTETRICATE, v.t. To assist as a midwife. [Little used.]

    OBSTETRICATION, n.

    1. The act of assisting as a midwife.NWAD OBSTETRICATION.2

    2. The office of a midwife.NWAD OBSTETRICATION.3

    OBSTETRICIAN, n. One skilled in the art of assisting women in parturition.

    OBSTETRICS, n. The art of assisting women in parturition; midwifery.

    OBSTINACY, n. [L. obstinatio, from obsto, to stand against, to oppose; ob and sto.]

    1. A fixedness in opinion or resolution that cannot be shaken at all, or not without great difficulty; firm and usually unreasonable adherence to an opinion, purpose or system; a fixedness that will not yield to persuasion, arguments or other means. Obstinacy may not always convey the idea of unreasonable or unjustifiable firmness; as when we say, soldiers fight with obstinacy. But often, and perhaps usually, the word denotes a fixedness of resolution which is not to be vindicated under the circumstances; stubbornness; pertinacity; persistency.NWAD OBSTINACY.2

    2. Fixedness that will not yield to application, or that yields with difficulty; as the obstinacy of a disease or evil.NWAD OBSTINACY.3

    OBSTINATE, a. [L. obstinatus.]

    1. Stubborn; pertinaciously adhering to an opinion or purpose; fixed firmly in resolution; not yielding to reason, arguments or other means.NWAD OBSTINATE.2

    I have known great cures done by obstinate resolutions of drinking no wine.NWAD OBSTINATE.3

    No ass so meek, no ass os obstinate.NWAD OBSTINATE.4

    2. Not yielding or not easily subdued or removed; as an obstinate fever; obstinate obstructions; an obstinate cough.NWAD OBSTINATE.5

    OBSTINATELY, adv. Stubbornly; pertinaciously; with fixedness of purpose not to be shaken, or not without difficulty; as a sinner obstinately bent on his own destruction.

    Inflexible to ill and obstinately just.NWAD OBSTINATELY.2

    OBSTINATENESS, n. Stubbornness; pertinacity in opinion or purpose; fixed determination.

    OBSTIPATION, n. [L. obstipo; ob and stipo, to crowd.]

    1. The act of stopping up; as a passage.NWAD OBSTIPATION.2

    2. In medicine, costiveness.NWAD OBSTIPATION.3

    OBSTREPEROUS, a. [L. obstreperus, from obstrepo, to roar; ob and strepo.]

    Loud; noisy; clamorous; vociferous; making a tumultuous noise.NWAD OBSTREPEROUS.2

    The players do not only connive at his obstreperous approbation, but repair at their own cost whatever damages he makes.NWAD OBSTREPEROUS.3

    OBSTREPEROUSLY, adv. Loudly; clamorously; with tumultuous noise.

    OBSTREPEROUSNESS, n. Loudness; clamor; noisy turbulence.

    OBSTRICTION, n. [L. obstrictus, obstringo; ob and stringo, to strain.]

    Obligation; bond.NWAD OBSTRICTION.2

    OBSTRUCT, v.t. [L. obstruo; ob and struo, to set.]

    1. To block up; to stop up or close; as a way or passage; to fill with obstacles or impediments that prevent passing; as, to obstruct a road, highway or channel; to obstruct the canals or fine vessels of the body.NWAD OBSTRUCT.2

    2. To stop; to impede; to hinder in passing; as, the bar at the mouth of the river obstructs the entrance of ships; clouds obstruct the light of the sun.NWAD OBSTRUCT.3

    3. To retard; to interrupt; to render slow. Progress is often obstructed by difficulties, though not entirely stopped.NWAD OBSTRUCT.4

    OBSTRUCTED, pp.

    1. Blocked up; stopped; as a passage.NWAD OBSTRUCTED.2

    2. Hindered; impeded; as progress.NWAD OBSTRUCTED.3

    3. Retarded; interrupted.NWAD OBSTRUCTED.4

    OBSTRUCTER, n. One that obstructs or hinders.

    OBSTRUCTING, ppr. Blocking up; stopping; impeding; interrupting.

    OBSTRUCTION, n. [L. obstructio.]

    1. The act of obstructing.NWAD OBSTRUCTION.2

    2. Obstacle; impediment; any thing that stops or closes a way or channel. Bars of sand at the mouths of rivers are often obstructions to navigation.NWAD OBSTRUCTION.3

    3. That which impedes progress; hinderance. disunion and party spirit are often obstructions to legislative measures and to public prosperity.NWAD OBSTRUCTION.4

    4. A heap. [Not proper.]NWAD OBSTRUCTION.5

    OBSTRUCTIVE, a.

    Presenting obstacles; hindering; causing impediment.NWAD OBSTRUCTIVE.2

    OBSTRUCTIVE, n. Obstacle; impediment. [Little used.]

    OBSTRUENT, a. [L. obstruens.] Blocking up; hindering.

    OBSTRUENT, n. Any thing that obstructs the natural passages in the body.

    OBSTUPEFACTION, n. [L. obstupefacio.] The act of making stupid or insensible. [See Stupefaction, which is generally used.]

    OBSTUPEFACTIVE, a. [L. obstupefacio.] Stupefying; rendering insensible, torpid or inert. [Little used. See Stupefactive.]

    OBTAIN, v.t. [L. obtineo; ob and teneo, to hold.]

    1. To get; to gain; to procure; in a general sense, to gain possession of a thing, whether temporary or permanent; to acquiare. this word usually implies exertion to get possession, and in this it differs from receive, which may or may not imply exertion. it differs from acquire, as genus from species; acquire being properly applied only to things permanently possessed; but obtain is applied both to things of temporary and of permanent possession. We obtain loans of money on application; we obtain answers to letters; we obtain spirit from liquors by distillation and salts by evaporation. We obtain by seeking; we often receive without seeking. We acquire or obtain a good title to lands by deed, or by a judgment of court; but we do not acquire spirit by distillation; nor do we acquire an answer to a letter or an application.NWAD OBTAIN.2

    He shall obtain the kingdom by flatteries. Daniel 11:21.NWAD OBTAIN.3

    In whom we have obtained an inheritance. Ephesians 1:11.NWAD OBTAIN.4

    2. To keep; to hold.NWAD OBTAIN.5

    OBTAIN, v.i.

    1. To be received in customary or common use; to continue in use; to be established in practice.NWAD OBTAIN.7

    The Theodosian code, several hundred years after Justinian’s time, obtained in the western parts of the empire.NWAD OBTAIN.8

    2. To be established; to subsist in nature.NWAD OBTAIN.9

    The general laws of fluidity, elasticity and gravity, obtain in animal and inanimate tubes.NWAD OBTAIN.10

    3. To prevail; to succeed. [Little used.]NWAD OBTAIN.11

    OBTAINABLE, a. That may be obtained; that may be procured or gained.

    OBTAINED, pp. Gained; procured; acquired.

    OBTAINER, n. One who obtains.

    OBTAINING, ppr. Gaining; procuring; acquiring.

    OBTAINMENT, n. The act of obtaining.

    OBTEND, v.t. [L. obtendo; ob and tendo; literally, to stretch against or before.]

    1. To oppose; to hold out in opposition.NWAD OBTEND.2

    2. To pretend; to offer as the reason of any thing. [Not used. This word is rarely used.]NWAD OBTEND.3

    OBTENEBRATION, n. [from L. ob and tenebrae, darkness.]

    A darkening; act of darkening; darkness.NWAD OBTENEBRATION.2

    In every megrim or vertigo there is an obtenebration joined with a semblance of turning round. [Little used.]NWAD OBTENEBRATION.3

    OBTENSION, n. The act of obtending. [Not used.]

    OBTEST, v.t. [L. obtestor; ob and testor, to witness. To beseech; to supplicate.]

    Obtest his clemency.NWAD OBTEST.2

    OBTEST, v.i. To protest.
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