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obverse

 - 3 dictionary results

ob⋅verse

  [n. ob-vurs; adj. ob-vurs, ob-vurs]
Use obverse in a Sentence
–noun
1. the side of a coin, medal, flag, etc., that bears the principal design (opposed to reverse ).
2. the front or principal surface of anything.
3. a counterpart.
4. Logic. a proposition obtained from another by obversion.
–adjective
5. facing the observer.
6. corresponding to something else as a counterpart.
7. having the base narrower than the top, as a leaf.
Origin:
1650–60; < L obversus turned toward or against (ptp. of obvertere), equiv. to ob- ob- + vert(ere) to turn + -tus ptp. suffix, with tt > s
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To obverse
ob·verse   (ŏb-vûrs', əb-, ŏb'vûrs')   
adj.  

  1. Facing or turned toward the observer: the obverse side of a statue.

  2. Serving as a counterpart or complement.

n.   (ŏb'vûrs', ŏb-vûrs', əb-)

  1. The side of a coin, medal, or badge that bears the principal stamp or design.

  2. The more conspicuous of two possible alternatives, cases, or sides: the obverse of this issue.

  3. Logic The counterpart of a proposition obtained by exchanging the affirmative for the negative quality of the whole proposition and then negating the predicate: The obverse of "Every act is predictable" is "No act is unpredictable."


[Latin obversus, past participle of obvertere, to turn toward; see obvert.]
ob·verse'ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

obverse 
1656 (adj.), from L. obversus, pp. of obvertere "to turn toward or against," from ob "toward" + vertere "to turn" (see versus). The noun, in ref. to coins, medals, etc. (opposite of reverse), is attested from 1658.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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