Obscenely

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a way that is offensive to accepted standards of decency, especially by being sexually explicit or indecent
2. Describes actions or expressions that strongly violate moral or social norms related to sexual content
3. Expressed or done in a manner that is shocking or disgusting due to explicit or improper sexual references

Etymology: Obscenely is a straightforward formation: the adjective "obscene" with the suffix "-ly" added to turn it into an adverb. The suffix itself has a long pedigree. It descends from a Proto-Germanic element meaning "body" or "form", which in Old English became "-līċ", meaning "having the form or appearance of." Over centuries it was reduced to "-ly" in Middle English, and it now attaches freely to adjectives across the language. The adjective "obscene" is the older and more interesting piece. It comes from Latin "obscenus", a word of uncertain origin that was used for things of ill omen or unfit to be shown, and the adverb simply carries that sense of unfitness into how an action is done. Because "-ly" is so productive, the adverb can be formed from almost any adjective that describes something offensive or improper.

Synonyms: vulgarly, indecently

Antonyms: decently, modestly