Chapter 1053

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

Fitzed. Hall.

Obstacle <Xpage=992>

Ob"sta*cle (?) , n. [F., fr. L. obstaculum , fr. obstare to withstand, oppose; ob (see Ob- ) + stare to stand. See Stand . and cf. Oust , v. ] That which stands in the way, or opposes; anything that hinders progress; a hindrance; an obstruction, physical or moral.

If all obstacles were cut away. And that my path were even to the crown. Shak.

Syn. -- Impediment; obstuction; hindrance; difficulty. See Impediment , and Obstruction .

Obstancy <Xpage=992>

Ob"stan*cy (?) , n. [L. obstantia , fr. obstans , p.pr. of obstare . See Obstacle .] Opposition; impediment; obstruction. [Obs.]

B. Jonson.

Obstetric, Obstetrical <Xpage=992>

Ob*stet"ric (?) , Ob*stet"ric*al (?) , a. [L. obstetricius , fr. obstetrix , -icis , a midwife, fr. obstare to stand before: cf.F. obst\'82trique . See Obstacle .] Of or pertaining to midwifery, or the delivery of women in childbed; as, the obstetric art .

Obstetrical toad (Zo\'94l.) , 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.

<page="993"> Page 993

Obstetricate <Xpage=993>

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.

Obstetricate <Xpage=993>

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

E. Waterhouse.

Obstetrication <Xpage=993>

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

Bp. Hall.

Obstetrician <Xpage=993>

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

Obstetricious <Xpage=993>

Ob`ste*tri"cious (?) , a. [See Obstetric .] Serving to assist childbirth; obstetric; hence, facilitating any bringing forth or deliverance. [Obs.]

Yet is all human teaching but maieutical, or obstetricious . Cudworth.

Obstetrics <Xpage=993>

Ob*stet"rics (?) , n. [Cf. F. obst\'82trique . See Obstetric .] The science of midwifery; the art of assisting women in parturition, or in the trouble incident to childbirth.

Obstetricy <Xpage=993>

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

Dunglison.

Obstinacy <Xpage=993>

Ob"sti*na*cy (?) , n. [See Obstinate .] 1. A fixedness in will, opinion, or resolution that can not be shaken at all, or only with great difficulty; firm and usually unreasonable adherence to an opinion, purpose, or system; unyielding disposition; stubborness; pertinacity; persistency; contumacy.

You do not well in obstinacy To cavil in the course of this contract. Shak.

To shelter their ignorance, or obstinacy , under the obscurity of their terms. Locke.

2. The quality or state of being difficult to remedy, relieve, or subdue; as, the obstinacy of a disease or evil .

Syn. -- Pertinacity; firmness; resoluteness; inflexibility; persistency; stubbornness; perverseness; contumacy. -- Obstinacy , Pertinacity . Pertinacity denotes great firmness in holding to a thing, aim, etc. Obstinacy is great firmness in holding out against persuasion, attack, etc. The former consists in adherence, the latter in resistance. An opinion is advocated with pertinacity or defended with obstinacy . Pertinacity is often used in a good sense; obstinacy generally in a bad one. "In this reply was included a very gross mistake, and if with pertinacity maintained, a capital error." Sir T. Browne . "Every degree of obstinacy in youth is one step to rebellion." South .

Obstinate <Xpage=993>

Ob"sti*nate (?) , a. [L. obstinatus , p.p. of obstinare to set about a thing with firmness, to persist in; ob (see Ob- ) + a word from the root of stare to stand. See Stand , and cf. Destine .] 1. Pertinaciously adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course; persistent; not yielding to reason, arguments, or other means; stubborn; pertinacious; -- usually implying unreasonableness.

I have known great cures done by obstinate resolution of drinking no wine. Sir W. Temple.

No ass so meek, no ass so obstinate . Pope.

Of sense and outward things. Wordsworth.

2. Not yielding; not easily subdued or removed; as, obstinate fever; obstinate obstructions.

Syn. -- Stubborn; inflexible; immovable; firm; pertinacious; persistent; headstrong; opinionated; unyielding; refractory; contumacious. See Stubborn .

-- Ob"sti*nate*ly , adv. -- Ob"sti*nate*ness , n.

Obstination <Xpage=993>

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

Jer. Taylor.

Obstipation <Xpage=993>

Ob`sti*pa"tion (?) , n. [L. obstipatio a close pressure; ob (see Ob- ) + stipare to press.] 1. The act of stopping up, as a passage. [Obs.]

Bailey.

2. (Med.) Extreme constipation. [Obs.]

Hooper.

Obstreperous <Xpage=993>

Ob*strep"er*ous (?) , a. [L. obstreperus , from obstrepere to make a noise at; ob (see Ob- ) + strepere to make a noise.] Attended by, or making, a loud and tumultuous noise; clamorous; noisy; vociferous. "The obstreperous city." Wordsworth . " Obstreperous approbation." Addison .

Beating the air with their obstreperous beaks. B. Jonson.

-- Ob*strep"er*ous*ly , adv. -- Ob*strep"er*ous*ness , n.

Obstriction <Xpage=993>

Ob*stric"tion (?) , n. [L. obstringere , obstrictum , to bind to or about.] The state of being constrained, bound, or obliged; that which constrains or obliges; obligation; bond. [R.]

Milton.

Obstringe <Xpage=993>

Ob*stringe" (?) , v. t. [See Obstriction .] To constrain; to put under obligation. [R.]

Bp. Gardiner.

Obstruct <Xpage=993>

Ob*struct" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Obstructed ; p. pr. & vb. n. Obstructing .] [L. obstructus , p.p. of obstruere to build up before or against, to obstruct; ob (see Ob- ) + struere to pile up. See Structure .]

1. To block up; to stop up or close, as a way or passage; to place an obstacle in, or fill with obstacles or impediments that prevent or hinder passing; as, to obstruct a street; to obstruct the channels of the body.

'T is the obstructed paths of sound shall clear. Pope.

2. To be, or come, in the way of; to hinder from passing; to stop; to impede; to retard; as, the bar in the harbor obstructs the passage of ships; clouds obstruct the light of the sun; unwise rules obstruct legislation. "Th' impatience of obstructed love."

Johnson.

Syn. -- To bar; barricade; stop; arrest; check; interrupt; clog; choke; impede; retard; embarrass; oppose.

Obstructer <Xpage=993>

Ob*struct"er (?) , n. One who obstructs or hinders.

Obstruction <Xpage=993>

Ob*struc"tion (?) , n. [L. obstructio .]

1. The act of obstructing, or state of being obstructed.

2. That which obstructs or impedes; an obstacle; an impediment; a hindrance.

A popular assembly free from obstruction . Swift.

3. The condition of having the natural powers obstructed in their usual course; the arrest of the vital functions; death. [Poetic]

To die, and go we know not where, To lie in cold obstruction , and to rot. Shak.

Syn. -- Obstacle ; bar; barrier; impediment; clog; check; hindrance. -- Obstruction , Obstacle . The difference between these words is that indicated by their etymology; an obstacle is something standing in the way; an obstruction is something put in the way. Obstacle implies more fixedness and is the stronger word. We remove obstructions ; we surmount obstacles .

Disparity in age seems a greater obstacle to an intimate friendship than inequality of fortune. Collier.

The king expected to meet with all the obstructions and difficulties his enraged enemies could lay in his way. Clarendon.

Obstructionism <Xpage=993>

Ob*struc"tion*ism (?) , n. The act or the policy of obstructing progress.

Lond. Lit. World.

Obstructionist <Xpage=993>

Ob*struc"tion*ist , n. One who hinders progress; one who obstructs business, as in a legislative body. -- a. Of or pertaining to obstructionists. [Recent]

Obstructive <Xpage=993>

Ob*struct"ive (?) , a. [Cf.F. obstrictif .] Tending to obstruct; presenting obstacles; hindering; causing impediment. -- Ob*struct"ive*ly , adv.

Obstructive <Xpage=993>

Ob*struct"ive , n. An obstructive person or thing.

Obstruent <Xpage=993>

Ob"stru*ent (?) , a. [L. obstruens , p.pr. of obstruere . See Obstruct .] Causing obstruction; blocking up; hindering; as, an obstruent medicine .

Johnson.

Obstruent <Xpage=993>

Ob"stru*ent , n. Anything that obstructs or closes a passage; esp., that which obstructs natural passages in the body; as, a medicine which acts as an obstruent .

Obstupefaction <Xpage=993>

Ob*stu`pe*fac"tion (?) , n. [L. obstuperfacere to stupefy.] See Stupefaction . [Obs.]

Howell.

Obstupefactive <Xpage=993>

Ob*stu`pe*fac"tive (?) , a. Stupefactive. [Obs.]

Obstupefy <Xpage=993>

Ob*stu"pe*fy (?) , v. t. [Cf.L. obstupefacere . See Ob- , and Stupefy .] See Stupefy . [Obs.]

Obtain <Xpage=993>

Ob*tain" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Obtained (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Obtaining .] [F. obtenir , L. obtinere ; ob (see Ob- ) + tenere to hold. See Tenable .]

1. To hold; to keep; to possess. [Obs.]

His mother, then, is mortal, but his Sire He who obtains the monarchy of heaven. Milton.

2. To get hold of by effort; to gain possession of; to procure; to acquire, in any way.

Some pray for riches; riches they obtain . Dryden.

By guileful fair words peace may be obtained . Shak.

It may be that I may obtain children by her. Gen. xvi. 2.

Syn. -- To attain; gain; procure; acquire; win; earn. See Attain . -- To Obtain , Get , Gain , Earn , Acquire . The idea of getting is common to all these terms. We may, indeed, with only a slight change of sense, substitute get for either of them; as, to get or to gain a prize; to get or to obtain an employment; to get or to earn a living; to get or to acquire a language. To gain is to get by striving; and as this is often a part of our good fortune, the word gain is peculiarly applicable to whatever comes to us fortuitously. Thus, we gain a victory, we gain a cause, we gain an advantage, etc. To earn is to deserve by labor or service; as, to earn good wages; to earn a triumph. Unfortunately, one does not always get or obtain what he has earned . To obtain implies desire for possession, and some effort directed to the attainment of that which is not immediately within our reach. Whatever we thus seek and get , we obtain , whether by our own exertions or those of others; whether by good or bad means; whether permanently, or only for a time. Thus, a man obtains an employment; he obtains an answer to a letter, etc. To acquire is more limited and specific. We acquire what comes to us gradually in the regular exercise of our abilities, while we obtain what comes in any way, provided we desire it. Thus, we acquire knowledge, property, honor, reputation, etc. What we acquire becomes, to a great extent, permanently our own; as, to acquire a language; to acquire habits of industry, etc.

Obtain <Xpage=993>

Ob*tain" , v. i. 1. To become held; to gain or have a firm footing; to be recognized or established; to subsist; to become prevalent or general; to prevail; as, the custom obtains of going to the seashore in summer .

Sobriety hath by use obtained to signify temperance in drinking. Jer. Taylor.

The Theodosian code, several hundred years after Justinian's time, did obtain in the western parts of Europe. Baker.

2. To prevail; to succeed. [R.]

Evelyn.

So run that ye may obtain . 1 Cor. ix. 24.

There is due from the judge to the advocate, some commendation, where causes are fair pleaded; especially towards the side which obtaineth not. Bacon.

Obtainable <Xpage=993>

Ob*tain"a*ble (?) , a. Capable of being obtained.

Obtainer <Xpage=993>

Ob*tain"er (?) , n. One who obtains.

Obtainment <Xpage=993>

Ob*tain"ment (?) , n. The act or process of obtaining; attainment.

Milton.

Obtected <Xpage=993>

Ob*tect"ed (?) , a. [L. obtectus , p.p. of obtegere to cover over.] 1. Covered; protected. [Obs.]

2. (Zo\'94l.) Covered with a hard chitinous case, as the pupa of certain files.

Obtemper <Xpage=993>

Ob*tem"per (?) , v. t. & i. [See Obtemperate .] (Scots Law) To obey (a judgment or decree).

Obtemperate <Xpage=993>

Ob*tem"per*ate (?) , v. t. [L. obtemperare , obtemperatum to obey.] To obey. [Obs.]

Johnson.

Obtend <Xpage=993>

Ob*tend" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Obtended ; p. pr. & vb. n. Obtending .] [L. obtendere , obtentum , to stretch or place before or against; ob (see Ob- ) + tendere to stretch.] 1. To oppose; to hold out in opposition. [Obs.]

Dryden.

2. To offer as the reason of anything; to pretend. [Obs.]

Dryden

Obtenebration <Xpage=993>

Ob*ten`e*bra"tion (?) , n. [L. obtenebrate to make dark.] The act of darkening; the state of being darkened; darkness. [Obs.]

In every megrim or vertigo, there is an obtenebration joined with a semblance of turning round. Bacon.

Obtension <Xpage=993>

Ob*ten"sion (?) , n. [L. obtentio . See Obtend .] The act of obtending. [Obs.]

Johnson.

Obtest <Xpage=993>

Ob*test" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Obtested ; p. pr. & vb. n. Obtesting .] [L. obtestari ; ob (see Ob- ) + testari to witness, fr. testis a witness.] 1. To call to witness; to invoke as a witness. [R.]

Dryden.

2. To beseech; to supplicate; to beg for. [R.]

Obtest <Xpage=993>

Ob*test" , v. i. To protest. [R.]

E. Waterhouse.

Obtestation <Xpage=993>

Ob`tes*ta"tion (?) , n. [L. obtestatio .] The act of obtesting; supplication; protestation. [R.]

Antonio asserted this with great obtestation . Evelyn.

Obtrectation <Xpage=993>

Ob`trec*ta"tion (?) , n. [L. obtrectatio , from obtrectare to detract from through envy. See Detract .] Slander; detraction; calumny. [Obs.]

Barrow.

Obtrude <Xpage=993>

Ob*trude" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Obtruded , p. pr. & vb. n. Obtruding .] [L. obtrudere , obtrusum ; ob (see Ob- ) + trudere to thrust. See Threat .] 1. To thrust impertinently; to present without warrant or solicitation; as, to obtrude one's self upon a company .

The objects of our senses obtrude their particular ideas upon our minds, whether we will or no. Lock.

2. To offer with unreasonable importunity; to urge unduly or against the will.

Milton.

Obtrude <Xpage=993>

Ob*trude" , v. i. To thrust one's self upon a company or upon attention; to intrude.

Syn. -- To Obtrude , Intrude . To intrude is to thrust one's self into a place, society, etc., without right, or uninvited; to obtrude is to force one's self, remarks, opinions, etc., into society or upon persons with whom one has no such intimacy as to justify such boldness.

Obtruder <Xpage=993>

Ob*trud"er (?) , n. One who obtrudes.

Boyle.

Obtruncate <Xpage=993>

Ob*trun"cate (?) , v. t. [L. obtruncatus , p.p. of obtruncare .] To deprive of a limb; to lop. [R.]

Obtruncation <Xpage=993>

Ob`trun*ca"tion (?) , n. [L. obtruncatio .] The act of lopping or cutting off. [R.]

Cockeram.

Obtrusion <Xpage=993>

Ob*tru"sion (?) , n. [L. obtrusio . See Obtrude .] 1. The act of obtruding; a thrusting upon others by force or unsolicited; as, the obtrusion of crude opinions on the world .

2. That which is obtruded.

Milton.

Obtrusionist <Xpage=993>

Ob*tru"sion*ist , n. One who practices or excuses obtrusion. [R.]

Gent. Mag.

Obtrusive <Xpage=993>

Ob*tru"sive (?) , a. Disposed to obtrude; inclined to intrude or thrust one's self or one's opinions upon others, or to enter uninvited; forward; pushing; intrusive. -- Ob*tru"sive*ly , adv. -- Ob*tru"sive*ness , n.

Not obvious, not obtrusive , but retired. Milton.

Obtund <Xpage=993>

Ob*tund" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Obtunded ; p. pr. & vb. n. Obtunding .] [L. obtundere , obtusum ; ob (see Ob- ) + tundere to strike or beat. See Stutter .] To reduce the edge, pungency, or violent action of; to dull; to blunt; to deaden; to quell; as, to obtund the acrimony of the gall . [Archaic]

Harvey.

They...have filled all our law books with the obtunding story of their suits and trials. Milton.

Obtundent <Xpage=993>

Ob*tund"ent (?) , n. [L. obtundens , p.pr. of obtundere .] (Med.) A substance which sheathes a part, or blunts irritation, usually some bland, oily, or mucilaginous matter; -- nearly the same as demulcent .

Forsyth.

Obtunder <Xpage=993>

Ob*tund"er (?) , n. (Med.) That which obtunds or blunts; especially, that which blunts sensibility.

Obturation <Xpage=993>