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7 dictionary results for: adverse

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

ad·verse

[ad-vurs, ad-vurs] Pronunciation Key

–adjective

1.	unfavorable or antagonistic in purpose or effect: adverse criticism.

2.	opposing one's interests or desire: adverse circumstances.

3.	being or acting in a contrary direction; opposed or opposing: adverse winds.

4.	opposite; confronting: the adverse page.

[Origin: 1350–1400; ME < AF, OF advers < L adversus hostile (ptp. of advertere), equiv. to ad- ad- + vert- turn + -tus ptp. suffix, with -tt- > -s-

]

—Related forms

ad·verse·ly, adverb

ad·verse·ness, noun

—Synonyms 1. hostile, inimical, unfriendly. 2. unfavorable; unlucky, unfortunate; disastrous, calamitous, catastrophic. See contrary.

—Antonyms 1–3. favorable.

—Usage note The adjectives adverse and averse are related both etymologically and semantically, each having “opposition” as a central sense. Adverse is seldom used of people but rather of effects or events, and it usually conveys a sense of hostility or harmfulness: adverse reviews; adverse winds; adverse trends in the economy. Related nouns are adversity and adversary: Adversities breed bitterness. His adversaries countered his every move. Averse is used of persons and means “feeling opposed or disinclined”; it often occurs idiomatically with a preceding negative to convey the opposite meaning “willing or agreeable,” and is not interchangeable with adverse in these contexts: We are not averse to holding another meeting. The related noun is aversion: She has a strong aversion to violence. Averse is usually followed by to, in older use occasionally by from.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

ad·verse (ād-vûrs', ād'vûrs') Pronunciation Key
adj.

Acting or serving to oppose; antagonistic: adverse criticism.
Contrary to one's interests or welfare; harmful or unfavorable: adverse circumstances.
Moving in an opposite or opposing direction: adverse currents.
Archaic Placed opposite.

[Middle English, from Old French advers, from Latin adversus, past participle of advertere, to turn toward : ad-, ad- + vertere, to turn; see wer-² in Indo-European roots.]

ad·verse'ly adv., ad·verse'ness n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
adverse

c.1374, from O.Fr. avers, from L. adversus "turned against," thus "hostile," pp. of advertere, from ad- "to" + vertere "to turn" (see versus).

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

adverse
adjective
1.	contrary to your interests or welfare; "adverse circumstances"; "made a place for themselves under the most untoward conditions"
2.	in an opposing direction; "adverse currents"; "a contrary wind"

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Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: ad·verse
Pronunciation: ad-'v&rs, 'ad-"v&rs
Function: adjective
: opposed to one's interests : operating to one's detriment adverse verdict>

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Adverse

Ad"verse\, a. [OE. advers, OF. avers, advers, fr. L. adversus, p. p. advertere to turn to. See Advert.]

1. Acting against, or in a contrary direction; opposed; contrary; opposite; conflicting; as, adverse winds; an adverse party; a spirit adverse to distinctions of caste.

2. Opposite. "Calpe's adverse height." --Byron.

3. In hostile opposition to; unfavorable; unpropitious; contrary to one's wishes; unfortunate; calamitous; afflictive; hurtful; as, adverse fates, adverse circumstances, things adverse.

Happy were it for us all if we bore prosperity as well and wisely as we endure an adverse fortune. --Southey.

Adverse possession (Law), a possession of real property avowedly contrary to some claim of title in another person. --Abbott.

Syn: Averse; reluctant; unwilling. See Averse.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Adverse

Ad*verse"\, v. t. [L. adversari: cf. OF. averser.] To oppose; to resist. [Obs.] --Gower.

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