foulness - Definitions from Dictionary.com

4 results for: foulness

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

foul·ness

Audio Help [foul-nis] Pronunciation Key

–noun

1.	the state or quality of being foul: The foulness of the accusation incensed us all.

2.	something that is foul; foul matter; filth.

3.	wickedness.

[Origin: bef. 1150; ME; OE fūlnes. See foul, -ness

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
foulness

To learn more about foulness visit Britannica.com

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

foul Audio Help (foul) Pronunciation Key
adj. foul·er, foul·est

Offensive to the senses; revolting.
Having an offensive odor; smelly.
Rotten or putrid: foul meat.
1. Full of dirt or mud; dirty. See Synonyms at dirty.
2. Full of impurities; polluted: foul air.
3. Sports Contrary to the rules of a game or sport: a foul boxing punch.
4. Baseball Outside the foul lines: a foul fly ball.
Morally detestable; wicked: foul deeds.
Of a vulgar or obscene nature: foul language.
Very disagreeable or displeasing; horrid: a foul movie.
Bad or unfavorable: in fair weather or foul.
Violating accepted standards or rules; dishonorable: used foul means to gain power.
1. Sports Contrary to the rules of a game or sport: a foul boxing punch.
2. Baseball Outside the foul lines: a foul fly ball.
Entangled or twisted: a foul anchor.
Clogged or obstructed; blocked: a foul ventilator shaft.
Archaic Ugly; unattractive.

Abbr. F
1. Sports An infraction or a violation of the rules of play.
2. Baseball A foul ball.
An entanglement or a collision.
An instance of clogging or obstructing.

adv.   In a foul manner.

v.   fouled, foul·ing, fouls

v.   tr.

To make dirty or foul; pollute. See Synonyms at contaminate.
To bring into dishonor; besmirch.
To clog or obstruct.
To entangle or catch (a rope, for example).
Nautical To encrust (a ship's hull) with foreign matter, such as barnacles.
1. Sports To commit a foul against.
2. Baseball To hit (a ball) outside the foul lines.

v. intr.

To become foul.
1. Sports To commit a foul.
2. Baseball To hit a ball outside the foul lines: fouled twice and then struck out; fouled out to the catcher.
To become entangled or twisted: The anchor line fouled on a rock.
To become clogged or obstructed.

Phrasal Verb(s):
foul out
Sports To be put out of a game for exceeding the number of permissible fouls.
foul up
To blunder or cause to blunder because of mistakes or poor judgment.

[Middle English, from Old English fūl; see p- in Indo-European roots.]

foul'ly adv., foul'ness n.

(Download Now or Buy the Book)

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

foulness
noun
1.	disgusting wickedness and immorality; "he understood the foulness of sin"; "his display of foulness deserved severe punishment"; "mouths which speak such foulness must be cleansed"
2.	a state characterized by foul or disgusting dirt and refuse [syn: filth]
3.	(of weather) the badness of the weather; "they were wearied with the foulness of the weather"
4.	the attribute of having a strong offensive smell [syn: malodorousness]