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opposite - 6 dictionary results

op⋅po⋅site

  [op-uh-zit, -sit]
Use opposite in a Sentence
–adjective
1. situated, placed, or lying face to face with something else or each other, or in corresponding positions with relation to an intervening line, space, or thing: opposite ends of a room.
2. contrary or radically different in some respect common to both, as in nature, qualities, direction, result, or significance; opposed: opposite sides in a controversy; opposite directions.
3. being the other of two related or corresponding things: friendly with many members of the opposite sex.
4. Botany.
a. situated on diametrically opposed sides of an axis, as leaves when there are two on one node.
b. having one organ vertically above another; superimposed.
5. adverse or inimical.
–noun
6. a person or thing that is opposite or contrary.
7. an antonym.
8. Archaic. an opponent; antagonist.
–preposition
9. across from; facing: The guest of honor sat opposite me at the banquet.
10. in a role parallel or complementary to: He has played opposite many leading ladies.
–adverb
11. on opposite sides.
12. on the opposite side: I was at one end and she sat opposite.
13. to the opposite side; in the opposite direction: I went to the left balcony, and he went opposite.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < MF < L oppositus, ptp. of oppōnere to set against. See oppose, -ite 2

Related forms:
op⋅po⋅site⋅ly, adverb
op⋅po⋅site⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. facing. 2. incompatible, irreconcilable, unlike, differing. Opposite, contrary, reverse imply that two things differ from each other in such a way as to indicate a definite kind of relationship. Opposite suggests symmetrical antithesis in position, action, or character: opposite ends of a pole, sides of a road, views. Contrary sometimes adds to opposite the idea of conflict or antagonism: contrary statements, beliefs. Reverse suggests something that faces or moves in the opposite direction: the reverse side of a coin; a reverse gear.

Antonyms:
2. same, like.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To opposite
op·po·site   (ŏp'ə-zĭt)   
adj.  
  1. Placed or located directly across from something else or from each other: opposite sides of a building.
  2. Facing the other way; moving or tending away from each other: opposite directions.
  3. Being the other of two complementary or mutually exclusive things: the opposite sex; an opposite role to the lead in the play.
    1. Altogether different, as in nature, quality, or significance: The effect of the medication was opposite to that intended.
    2. Sharply contrasting; antithetical: had opposite views on the subject.
  5. Botany Growing in pairs on either side of a stem: opposite leaves.
n.  
  1. One that is opposite or contrary to another.
  2. An opponent or antagonist.
  3. An antonym.
adv.  In an opposite position: They sat opposite at the table.
prep.  
  1. Across from or facing: parked the car opposite the bank.
  2. In a complementary dramatic role to: He played opposite her.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin oppositus, past participle of oppōnere, oppose; see oppose.]
op'po·site·ly adv., op'po·site·ness n.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean marked by a natural or innate and irreconcilable opposition. Two things that are altogether different are opposite: Antonyms are words of opposite meaning. "It is said that opposite characters make a union happiest" (Charles Reade).
Contrary stresses extreme divergence: Democrats and Republicans often hold contrary opinions.
Antithetical emphasizes diametrical opposition: engaged in practices entirely antithetical to their professed beliefs.
Contradictory implies denial or inconsistency: "contradictory attributes of unjust justice and loving vindictiveness" (John Morley).
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Opposite

Op"po*site\, a. [F., fr. L. oppositus, p. p. of opponere. See Opponent.]

1. Placed over against; standing or situated over against or in front; facing; -- often with to; as, a house opposite to the Exchange.

2. Applied to the other of two things which are entirely different; other; as, the opposite sex; the opposite extreme.

3. Extremely different; inconsistent; contrary; repugnant; antagonistic.

Novels, by which the reader is misled into another sort of pieasure opposite to that which is designed in an epic poem. --Dryden.

Particles of speech have divers, and sometimes almost opposite, significations. --Locke.

4. (Bot.) (a) Set over against each other, but separated by the whole diameter of the stem, as two leaves at the same node. (b) Placed directly in front of another part or organ, as a stamen which stands before a petal.

Opposite

Op"po*site\, n. 1. One who opposes; an opponent; an antagonist. [Obs.]

The opposites of this day's strife. --Shak.

2. That which is opposed or contrary; as, sweetness and its opposite.

The virtuous man meets with more opposites and opponents than any other. --Landor.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : opposite
Spanish: opuesto,
German: gegenüberliegend,
Japanese: 反対側の
More Translations »

opposite 
1391, "placed on the other side of (something)," from O.Fr. oposite (13c.), from L. oppositus, pp. of opponere "set against" (see opponent). Meaning "contrary in nature or character" is from 1580.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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opposite   (ŏp'ə-zĭt)  Pronunciation Key 


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Arranged as one of a pair on either side of a stem or twig. Maple and ash trees have opposite leaves. Compare alternate.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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