\Lewd\ (l[=u]d), a. [Compar. {Lewder} (-[~e]r); superl.
{Lewdest}.] [{OE}. lewed, lewd, lay, ignorant, vile, AS.
l[=ae]wed laical, belonging to the laity.]
1. Not clerical; laic; laical; hence, unlearned; simple.
   [Obs.]
         For if a priest be foul, on whom we trust, No wonder
         is a lewed man to rust.               --Chaucer.
         So these great clerks their little wisdom show To
         mock the lewd, as learn'd in this as they. --Sir. J.
                                               Davies.
2. Belonging to the lower classes, or the rabble; idle and
   lawless; bad; vicious. [Archaic] --Chaucer.
         But the Jews, which believed not, . . . took unto
         them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, . . .
         and assaulted the house of Jason.     --Acts xvii.
                                               5.
         Too lewd to work, and ready for any kind of
         mischief.                             --Southey.
3. Given to the promiscuous indulgence of lust; dissolute;
   lustful; libidinous. --Dryden.
4. Suiting, or proceeding from, lustfulness; involving
   unlawful sexual desire; as, lewd thoughts, conduct, or
   language.
Syn: Lustful; libidinous; licentious; profligate; dissolute;
     sensual; unchaste; impure; lascivious; lecherous;
     rakish; debauched. -- {Lewd"ly}, adv. -- {Lewd"ness}, n.