Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Coarsest"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Coarse \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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