OBSCENITY

obscenity

(noun) an obscene act

obscenity, lewdness, bawdiness, salaciousness, salacity

(noun) the trait of behaving in an obscene manner

obscenity, smut, vulgarism, filth, dirty word

(noun) an offensive or indecent word or phrase

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

obscenity (countable and uncountable, plural obscenities)

(countable) Something that is obscene.

(countable) An act of obscene behaviour.

(countable) Specifically, an offensive word; a profanity; a dirty word.

(uncountable) The qualities that make something obscene; lewdness, indecency, or offensive behaviour.

Source: Wiktionary

Ob*scen"i*ty, n.; pl. Obscenities. Etym: [L. obscentias: cf.F. obscénité.]

Definition: That quality in words or things which presents what is offensive to chasity or purity of mind; obscene or impure lanquage or acts; moral impurity; lewdness; obsceneness; as, the obscenity of a speech, or a picture. Mr.Cowley asserts plainly, that obscenity has no place in wit. Dryden. No pardon vile obscenity should find. Pope.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition