coarse

Etymology

Adjectival use of course that diverged in spelling in the 18th century. The sense developed from '(following) the usual course' (cf. of course) to 'ordinary, common' to 'lacking refinement', with 'not fine, granular' arising from its application to cloth. Compare the development of mean.

adj

  1. With a rough texture; not smooth.
  2. Composed of large particles.
    coarse sand
  3. Lacking refinement, taste or delicacy.
    coarse manners
    coarse language
  4. (archaic, of a metal) Unrefined.
  5. Of inferior quality.

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