2. (Biol.)
Defn: Indistinctness; want of development.
OBSOLETISM
Ob"so*let*ism, n.
Defn: A disused word or phrase; an archaism. Fitzed. Hall.
OBSTACLE
Ob"sta*cle, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. obstaculum, fr. obstare to
withstand, oppose; ob (see Ob-) + stare to stand. See Stand. and cf.
Oust, v.]
Defn: That which stands in the way, or opposes; anything that hinders progress; a hindrance; an obstruction, physical or moral. If all obstacles were cut away. And that my path were even to the crown. Shak.
Syn. — Impediment; obstuction; hindrance; difficulty. See Impediment, and Obstruction.
OBSTANCY
Ob"stan*cy, n. Etym: [L. obstantia, fr. obstans, p.pr. of obstare.
See Obstacle.]
Defn: Opposition; impediment; obstruction. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
OBSTETRIC; OBSTETRICAL Ob*stet"ric, Ob*stet"ric*al, a. Etym: [L. obstetricius, fr. obstetrix, -icis, a midwife, fr. obstare to stand before: cf.F. obstétrique. See Obstacle.]