Chapter 1052

Obscure rays (Opt.) , those rays which are not luminous or visible, and which in the spectrum are beyond the limits of the visible portion.

Syn. -- Dark; dim; darksome; dusky; shadowy; misty; abstruse; intricate; difficult; mysterious; retired; unnoticed; unknown; humble; mean; indistinct.

Obscure <Xpage=991>

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.

<page="992"> Page 992

Obscure <Xpage=992>

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.

Obscure <Xpage=992>

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

Milton.

Obscurely <Xpage=992>

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

Milton.

Obscurement <Xpage=992>

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

Pomfret.

Obscureness <Xpage=992>

Ob*scure"ness , n. Obscurity.

Bp. Hall.

Obscurer <Xpage=992>

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

Obscurity <Xpage=992>

Ob*scu"ri*ty (?) , n. [L. obscuritas : cf. F. obscurit\'82 .] The quality or state of being obscure; darkness; privacy; inconspicuousness; unintelligibleness; uncertainty.

Yuo are not for obscurity designed. Dryden.

They were now brought forth from obscurity , to be contemplated by artists with admiration and despair. Macaulay.

Syn. -- Darkness ; dimness; gloom. See Darkness .

Obsecrate <Xpage=992>

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.

Obsecration <Xpage=992>

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.

Obsecratory <Xpage=992>

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

Bp. Hall.

Obsequent <Xpage=992>

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

Fotherby.

Obsequience <Xpage=992>

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

Obsequies <Xpage=992>

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

Obsequious <Xpage=992>

Ob*se"qui*ous (?) , a. [L. obsequiosus , fr. obsequium compliance, fr. obsequi , fr . obsequi : cf. F. obs\'82quieux , See Obsequent , and cf. Obsequy .] 1. Promptly obedient, or submissive, to the will of another; compliant; yielding to the desires of another; devoted. [Obs.]

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 .

Obsequiously <Xpage=992>

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.

Obsequiousness <Xpage=992>

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

South.

Obsequy <Xpage=992>

Ob"se*quy (?) , n. ; pl. Obsequies (#) . [L. obsequiae , pl., funeral rites, fr. obsequi : cf.F. obs\'8aques . See Obsequent , and cf. Obsequious .] 1. The last duty or service to a person, rendered after his death; hence, a rite or ceremony pertaining to burial; -- now used only in the plural.

Spencer.

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.

Observable <Xpage=992>

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.

Observance <Xpage=992>

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.

Observancy <Xpage=992>

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

Observandum <Xpage=992>

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

Swift.

Observant <Xpage=992>

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.

Observant <Xpage=992>

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.

Observantine <Xpage=992>

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 .

Observantly <Xpage=992>

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

Observation <Xpage=992>

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.

&hand; 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 .

Observational <Xpage=992>

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

Chalmers.

Observative <Xpage=992>

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

Observator <Xpage=992>

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.

Observatory <Xpage=992>

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.

Observe <Xpage=992>

Ob*serve" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Observed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Observing .] [L. observare , observatum ; ob (see Ob- ) + servare to save, preserve, keep, heed, observe: cf.F. observer . See Serve .] 1. To take notice of by appropriate conduct; to conform one's action or practice to; to keep; to heed; to obey; to comply with; as, to observe rules or commands; to observe civility.

Ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread. Ex. xii. 17.

He wolde no such cursedness observe . Chaucer.

Must I budge? Must I observe you? Shak.

With solemn purpose to observe Immutably his sovereign will. Milton.

2. To be on the watch respecting; to pay attention to; to notice with care; to see; to perceive; to discover; as, to observe an eclipse; to observe the color or fashion of a dress; to observe the movements of an army.

3. To express as what has been noticed; to utter as a remark; to say in a casual or incidental way; to remark.

Observe <Xpage=992>

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 . <-- = to make an observation -->

I have barely quoted... without observing upon it. Pope.

Syn. -- To remark. See Remark .

Observer <Xpage=992>

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.

Observership <Xpage=992>

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

Observing <Xpage=992>

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

Obsess <Xpage=992>

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.

Obsession <Xpage=992>

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.

Obsidian <Xpage=992>

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.

&hand; 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.

Obsidional <Xpage=992>

Ob*sid"i*o*nal (?) , a. [L. obsidionalis , from obsidio a siege, obsidere to besiege: cf.F. obsidional . See Obsess .] Of or pertaining to a siege.

Obsidional crown (Rom.Antiq.) , a crown bestowed upon a general who raised the siege of a beleaguered place, or upon one who held out against a siege.

Obsigillation <Xpage=992>

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

Maunder.

Obsign <Xpage=992>

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

Bradford.

Obsignate <Xpage=992>

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

Barrow.

Obsignation <Xpage=992>

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.

Obsignatory <Xpage=992>

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

Samuel Ward (1643)

Obsolesce <Xpage=992>

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

Fitzed. Hall.

Obsolescence <Xpage=992>

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

Obsolescent <Xpage=992>

Ob`so*les"cent (?) , a. [L. obsolescens , -entis , p.pr. of obsolescere , to wear out gradually, to fall into disuse; ob (see Ob- ) + solere to use, be wont.] Going out of use; becoming obsolete; passing into desuetude.

Obsolete <Xpage=992>

Ob"so*lete (?) , a. [L. obsoletus , p.p. of obsolescere . See Obsolescent .] 1. No longer in use; gone into disuse; disused; neglected; as, an obsolete word; an obsolete statute ; -- applied chiefly to words, writings, or observances.

2. (Biol.) Not very distinct; obscure; rudimental; imperfectly developed; abortive.

Syn. -- Ancient; antiquated; old-fashioned; antique; old; disused; neglected. See Ancient .

Obsolete <Xpage=992>

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

Fitzed. Hall.

Obsoletely <Xpage=992>

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

Obsoleteness <Xpage=992>

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.

Obsoletism <Xpage=992>