What is "obsceneness"

Obscene \Ob*scene"\, a. [L. obscenus, obscaenus, obscoenus, ill looking, filthy, obscene: cf. F. obsc['e]ne.]

1. Offensive to chastity or modesty; expressing or presenting to the mind or view something which delicacy, purity, and decency forbid to be exposed; impure; as, obscene language; obscene pictures.

   Words that were once chaste, by frequent use grew obscene and uncleanly.
   --I. Watts.

2. Foul; fifthy; disgusting.

   A girdle foul with grease binds his obscene attire.
   --Dryden (Aeneid, vi. 417).

3. Inauspicious; ill-omened. [R.] [A Latinism]

   At the cheerful light, The groaning ghosts and birds obscene take flight.
   --Dryden.

   Syn: Impure; immodest; indecent; unchaste; lewd. [1913 Webster] -- Ob*scene"ly, adv. -- Ob*scene"ness, n.

n. Quality of being obscene.