1424, cors "ordinary," probably adj. use of noun cours (see course), originally referring to rough cloth for ordinary wear. Developed a sense of "rude" c.1510 and "obscene" 1711. Perhaps related, via metathesis, to Fr. gros, which had a similar sense development.
of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles; "coarse meal"; "coarse sand"; "a coarse weave" [ant: fine]
2.
lacking refinement or cultivation or taste; "he had coarse manners but a first-rate mind"; "behavior that branded him as common"; "an untutored and uncouth human being"; "an uncouth soldier--a real tough guy"; "appealing to the vulgar taste for violence"; "the vulgar display of the newly rich"
3.
of low or inferior quality or value; "of what coarse metal ye are molded"- Shakespeare; "produced...the common cloths used by the poorer population"
Main Entry: coarse Pronunciation: 'kO(&)rs, 'ko(&)rs Function: adjective 1: visible to the naked eye or by means of a compound microscope
<coarse particles> 2of a tremor: of wide excursion <a coarse tremor of the extremities> 3: harsh, raucous, or rough in
tone —used of some sounds heard in auscultation in pathological states of the chest <coarse rales>
Coarse\, a. [Compar. Coarser; superl. Coarsest.] [As this word was anciently written course, or cours, it may be an abbreviation of of course, in the common manner of proceeding, common, and hence, homely, made for common domestic use, plain, rude, rough, gross, e. g., "Though the threads be course." --Gascoigne. See Course.]1. Large in bulk, or composed of large parts or particles; of inferior quality or appearance; not fine in material or close in texture; gross; thick; rough; -- opposed to fine; as, coarse sand; coarse thread; coarse cloth; coarse bread. 2. Not refined; rough; rude; unpolished; gross; indelicate; as, coarse manners; coarse language. I feel Of what coarse metal ye are molded. --Shak. To copy, in my coarse English, his beautiful expressions. --Dryden. Syn: Large; thick; rough; gross; blunt; uncouth; unpolished; inelegant; indelicate; vulgar.
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