rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: ob-
Latin

ob-

toward, against; in the way

Forms

  • ob-
  • oc- — Used before c in Latin.
  • of- — Used before f in Latin.
  • op- — Used before p in Latin.

Origin

Usually traced to reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *epi, ‘on; near; against.’

Note

Facing something can suggest either approaching it or standing in its way.

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An inconsiderate passenger blows a party horn directly beside another passenger’s ear while sprawling across a shared bench; the disturbed passenger recoils and covers his ear.
adjective

obnoxious

ub-NAHK-shus/əbˈnɑːkʃəs/

Extremely unpleasant or annoying.

Etymology
obLatintoward, against; in the way
+noxiousLatininjury, harm

The pieces originally suggest being exposed to injury, not causing annoyance. The word shifted from vulnerability or subjection to being offensive and objectionable, under the influence of noxious.

Full entry

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