obscenity

 
Pronunciation: /əbˈsɛnɪti/

noun (plural obscenities)

[mass noun]
  • the state or quality of being obscene: the book was banned for obscenity
  • obscene behaviour, language, or images: a stream of invective and obscenity
  • [count noun] an extremely offensive word or expression: the men scowled and muttered obscenities

Origin:

late 16th century: from French obscénité or Latin obscaenitas, from obscaenus (see obscene)