dictionary

1: in an obscure manner; "this work is obscurely written"

1: the state of being humble and unimportant [syn: {humbleness}, {unimportance}] 2: the state of being indistinct or indefinite for lack of adequate illumination [syn: {obscurity}] 3: the quality of b...

1: the quality of being unclear or abstruse and hard to understand [syn: {obscureness}, {abstruseness}, {reconditeness}] [ant: {clarity}] 2: an obscure and unimportant standing; not well known; "he wo...

1: attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery [syn: {bootlicking}, {fawning}, {sycophantic}, {toadyish}] 2: attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner; "obsequious shop assistants...

1: in an obsequious manner; "she acts obsequiously toward her boss" [syn: {subserviently}, {servilely}]

1: abject or cringing submissiveness [syn: {servility}, {subservience}]

1: capable of being seen or noticed; "a discernible change in attitude"; "a clearly evident erasure in the manuscript"; "an observable change in behavior" [syn: {discernible}, {evident}]

1: in an imperceptible manner or to an imperceptible degree; "the power of the Secretary of State in London increased gradually but imperceptibly" [syn: {imperceptibly}, {unnoticeably}] [ant: {percept...

1: the act of observing; taking a patient look [syn: {observation}, {watching}] 2: a formal event performed on a special occasion; "a ceremony commemorating Pearl Harbor" [syn: {ceremony}, {ceremonial...

1: paying close attention especially to details 2: quick to notice; showing quick and keen perception [syn: {observing}] 3: (of individuals) adhering strictly to laws and rules and customs; "law-abidi...

1: in an observant manner [syn: {observingly}]

1: the act of making and recording a measurement 2: the act of observing; taking a patient look [syn: {observance}, {watching}] 3: facts learned by observing; "he reported his observations to the mayo...

1: lookout consisting of a dome-shaped observatory

1: an elevated post affording a wide view [syn: {lookout}]

1: a station set up for making observations of something

1: a structure commanding a wide view of its surroundings [syn: {lookout}, {lookout station}, {observatory}]

1: relying on observation or experiment; "experimental results that supported the hypothesis" [syn: {experimental}, {data-based}]

1: a building designed and equipped to observe astronomical phenomena 2: a structure commanding a wide view of its surroundings [syn: {lookout}, {observation tower}, {lookout station}]

1: discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of; "She detected high levels of lead in her drinking water"; "We found traces of lead in the paint" [syn: {detect}, {find}, {discover}, {noti...

1: discovered or determined by scientific observation; "variation in the ascertained flux depends on a number of factors"; "the discovered behavior norms"; "discovered differences in achievement"; "no...

1: fire for which the point of impact (the burst) can be seen by an observer; fire can be adjusted on the basis of the observations

1: a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses [syn: {perceiver}, {beholder}] 2: an expert who observes and comments on something [syn: {commentator}]

1: a meridian that passes through the observer's zenith

1: quick to notice; showing quick and keen perception [syn: {observant}]

1: in an observant manner [syn: {observantly}]

1: haunt like a ghost; pursue; "Fear of illness haunts her" [syn: {haunt}, {ghost}] 2: be preoccupied with something; "She is obsessing over her weight"

1: having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something; "became more and more haunted by the stupid riddle"; "was absolutely obsessed with the girl"; "got no help from his wife who was pr...

1: an irrational motive for performing trivial or repetitive actions against your will [syn: {compulsion}] 2: an unhealthy and compulsive preoccupation with something or someone [syn: {fixation}]

1: characterized by or constituting an obsession; "the obsessional character of his response"; "obsessive gambling" [syn: {obsessive}]

1: in a compulsive manner; "he cleaned his shoes compulsively after every walk" [syn: {compulsively}, {obsessively}]

1: characterized by or constituting an obsession; "the obsessional character of his response"; "obsessive gambling" [syn: {obsessional}]

1: characterized by obsessions and compulsions; "obsessive-compulsive neurosis"

1: personality characterized by a strong need to repeat certain acts or rituals

1: in a compulsive manner; "he cleaned his shoes compulsively after every walk" [syn: {compulsively}, {obsessionally}]

1: extreme compulsiveness [syn: {obsessivity}]

1: extreme compulsiveness [syn: {obsessiveness}]

1: acid or granitic glass; usually dark, but transparent in thin pieces

1: become obsolete, fall into disuse; "This word has not obsolesced, although it is rarely used"

1: the process of becoming obsolete; falling into disuse or becoming out of date; "a policy of planned obsolescence"

1: becoming obsolete

1: old; no longer in use or valid or fashionable; "obsolete words"; "an obsolete locomotive"; "outdated equipment"; "superannuated laws"; "out-of-date ideas" [syn: {outdated}, {out-of-date}, {superann...

1: the property of being out of date and not current [syn: {superannuation}]

1: something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted; "lack of immagination is an obstacle to one's advancement"; "the poverty of a district is an obstacle to good edu...

1: a race in which competitors must negotiate obstacles

1: of or relating to or used in or practicing obstetrics; "obstetric hospital" [syn: {obstetrical}]

1: of or relating to or used in or practicing obstetrics; "obstetric hospital" [syn: {obstetric}]

1: the act of delivering a child [syn: {delivery}]

1: European toad whose male carries the fertilized eggs wrapped around its hind legs until they hatch [syn: {midwife toad}, {Alytes obstetricans}]

1: a physician specializing in obstetrics [syn: {accoucheur}]

1: the branch of medicine dealing with childbirth and care of the mother [syn: {OB}, {tocology}, {midwifery}]

1: the trait of being difficult to handle or overcome [syn: {stubbornness}, {obstinance}, {mulishness}] 2: resolute adherence to your own ideas or desires [syn: {stubbornness}, {bullheadedness}, {obst...

1: the trait of being difficult to handle or overcome [syn: {stubbornness}, {obstinacy}, {mulishness}] 2: resolute adherence to your own ideas or desires [syn: {stubbornness}, {bullheadedness}, {obsti...

1: stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing [syn: {cussed}, {obdurate}, {unrepentant}] 2: resistant to guidance or discipline; "Mary Mary quite contrary"; "an obstinate child with a violent temper"; "a per...

1: in a stubborn unregenerate manner; "she remained stubbornly in the same position" [syn: {stubbornly}, {pig-headedly}, {obdurately}, {mulishly}, {cussedly}]

1: constipate severely

1: severe constipation resulting from an obstruction in the intestines

1: noisily and stubbornly defiant; "obstreperous boys" 2: boisterously and noisily aggressive; "kept up an obstreperous clamor"

1: in manner that attracts attention; "obstreperously, he demanded to get service" [syn: {loudly}, {clamorously}]

1: noisy defiance

1: hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of; "His brother blocked him at every turn" [syn: {blockade}, {block}, {hinder}, {stymie}, {stymy}, {embarrass}] 2: block passage through; "obstruct...