Emily Dickinson Lexicon

OB-SCENE, a. [Fr. from L. obscœnus.]

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.
2. Foul; filthy; offensive; disgusting. A girdle foul with grease binds his obscene attire. Dryden.
3. Inauspicious; ill omened. At the cheerful light, / The groaning ghosts and birds obscene take flight. Dryden.