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