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Fine Dictionary

opposite

ˈɑpəzɪt
WordNet
Zechariah is sitting at the table holding John the Baptist over a bowl. The man opposite him is circumcising him. A few men and Elisabet are standing and watching. One of them carries a burning torch. Below the scene is a three-line Latin text describing the scene from Luc. 1.
Zechariah is sitting at the table holding John the Baptist over a bowl. The man opposite him is circumcising him. A few men and Elisabet are standing and watching. One of them carries a burning torch. Below the scene is a three-line Latin text describing the scene from Luc. 1.
  1. (adj) opposite
    of leaves etc; growing in pairs on either side of a stem "opposite leaves"
  2. (adj) opposite
    characterized by opposite extremes; completely opposed "in diametric contradiction to his claims","diametrical (or opposite) points of view","opposite meanings","extreme and indefensible polar positions"
  3. (adj) opposite
    altogether different in nature or quality or significance "the medicine's effect was opposite to that intended","it is said that opposite characters make a union happiest"- Charles Reade"
  4. (adj) opposite
    the other one of a complementary pair "the opposite sex","the two chess kings are set up on squares of opposite colors"
  5. (adj) opposite
    being directly across from each other; facing "And I on the opposite shore will be, ready to ride and spread the alarm"- Longfellow","we lived on opposite sides of the street","at opposite poles"
  6. (adj) opposite
    moving or facing away from each other "looking in opposite directions","they went in opposite directions"
  7. (adv) opposite
    directly facing each other "the two photographs lay face-to-face on the table","lived all their lives in houses face-to-face across the street","they sat opposite at the table"
  8. (n) opposite
    a word that expresses a meaning opposed to the meaning of another word, in which case the two words are antonyms of each other "to him the antonym of `gay' was `depressed'"
  9. (n) opposite
    a contestant that you are matched against
  10. (n) opposite
    a relation of direct opposition "we thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true"
  11. (n) opposite
    something inverted in sequence or character or effect "when the direct approach failed he tried the inverse"
Illustrations
Opposite copy after print with object number RP-P-1984-438.
Opposite copy after print with object number RP-P-1984-438.
Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea stand opposite each other on a rocky, elongated ground, bearing the stiff body of Christ on a limp linen cloth between them. In the foreground, Mary Magdalene is kneeling, in profile a little to the left and a little forward, with her left hand holding the linen cloth together, while with the right she lifts the lid of the ointment canister, which is on the ground in front of her. Behind Christ, Mary kneels over him with folded hands and looks down at the averted face of her son. She is supported under the arms by St. Jan, who is behind her. To their left, two women, one with devoutly folded hands, the other with a jar of spices; both look somewhat absent. To the right of St. Jan is Simon of Cyrene (?), Who also holds the linen cloth with his right hand and holds the left hand above the belt with the purse hanging from it. Diagonally behind him a woman, holding her right hand in front of her chest, while lifting her skirt slightly with the other. On the bottom lie a book and, overturned, a second ointment can with the lid next to it. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea are almost similar in gesture and dress, each wearing a richly decorated Jewish hat with a raised front brim and a back-hanging sash; furthermore, one or two dalmatian-style suits over a long-sleeved robe; the figure on the left has a tippet and bracket bag on a belt. His arms pass through the side slits of the long sleeves of the rug, which are laid in a loose loop at the back; the sleeves are turned up in the right figure. Magdalena's cloak, covered with her wavy hair, slips off her back, covering part of her footwear. Mary wears the robe over her head and a veil that falls in front of her. St. John's open cloak, buttoned in front of the chest, leaves part of his tunic free. The woman to his left wears a turban over her headscarf and holds up a wad of her cloak with her right forearm; the figure to her left has a cloak over her head, which is taken up under the arms, the woman on the far right has a turban with a dropping slip over a cap. Simon with chaperon and shoulder collar wears petticoat and jerkin with belt, from which the purse hangs.
Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea stand opposite each other on a rocky, elongated ground, bearing the stiff body of Christ on a limp linen cloth between them. In the foreground, Mary Magdalene is kneeling, in profile a little to the left and a little forward, with her left hand holding the linen cloth together, while with the right she lifts the lid of the ointment canister, which is on the ground in front of her. Behind Christ, Mary kneels over him with folded hands and looks down at the averted face of her son. She is supported under the arms by St. Jan, who is behind her. To their left, two women, one with devoutly folded hands, the other with a jar of spices; both look somewhat absent. To the right of St. Jan is Simon of Cyrene (?), Who also holds the linen cloth with his right hand and holds the left hand above the belt with the purse hanging from it. Diagonally behind him a woman, holding her right hand in front of her chest, while lifting her skirt slightly with the other. On the bottom lie a book and, overturned, a second ointment can with the lid next to it. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea are almost similar in gesture and dress, each wearing a richly decorated Jewish hat with a raised front brim and a back-hanging sash; furthermore, one or two dalmatian-style suits over a long-sleeved robe; the figure on the left has a tippet and bracket bag on a belt. His arms pass through the side slits of the long sleeves of the rug, which are laid in a loose loop at the back; the sleeves are turned up in the right figure. Magdalena's cloak, covered with her wavy hair, slips off her back, covering part of her footwear. Mary wears the robe over her head and a veil that falls in front of her. St. John's open cloak, buttoned in front of the chest, leaves part of his tunic free. The woman to his left wears a turban over her headscarf and holds up a wad of her cloak with her right forearm; the figure to her left has a cloak over her head, which is taken up under the arms, the woman on the far right has a turban with a dropping slip over a cap. Simon with chaperon and shoulder collar wears petticoat and jerkin with belt, from which the purse hangs.
Reinaert the fox sits opposite King Nobel the lion. Behind Reinaert is Botsaert the monkey.
Reinaert the fox sits opposite King Nobel the lion. Behind Reinaert is Botsaert the monkey.
Opposite copy of print from earlier edition published by Willem Jansz.
Opposite copy of print from earlier edition published by Willem Jansz.
Two farmers opposite each other in a garden. The man on the right is leaning on a spade (shovel) and makes a speaking gesture to the second man who is on his knees in front of him, weeding weeds with his hands. Illustration of the proverb: Everyone must weed their own garden (each must mind their own business).
Two farmers opposite each other in a garden. The man on the right is leaning on a spade (shovel) and makes a speaking gesture to the second man who is on his knees in front of him, weeding weeds with his hands. Illustration of the proverb: Everyone must weed their own garden (each must mind their own business).
Sorghree living. Carefree living. Cartoon on laziness. In a shoemaker's workshop, the shoemaker plays bagpipes. Opposite him is his wife, resting on her distaff, a child in her lap. Other children are playing in the room. Against the back wall two students who are not working either. On the wall an image of a woman sitting on a fence with some geese around her. With caption of 6 lines and caption of 8 lines in Dutch.
Sorghree living. Carefree living. Cartoon on laziness. In a shoemaker's workshop, the shoemaker plays bagpipes. Opposite him is his wife, resting on her distaff, a child in her lap. Other children are playing in the room. Against the back wall two students who are not working either. On the wall an image of a woman sitting on a fence with some geese around her. With caption of 6 lines and caption of 8 lines in Dutch.
John Calvin with old bible opposite new Reformed minister with new bible, both accompanied by a Flemish farmer, according to the inscriptions, which keep curtains aside for two open books (Bibles) so that two Dutch verses are visible to the viewer. In the bottom margin reference to Isa. 1:18
John Calvin with old bible opposite new Reformed minister with new bible, both accompanied by a Flemish farmer, according to the inscriptions, which keep curtains aside for two open books (Bibles) so that two Dutch verses are visible to the viewer. In the bottom margin reference to Isa. 1:18
Cartoon on the millstone collar, c. 1600. A man and a woman, standing opposite each other, both with broad, pleated collars around the neck. Behind each of them a devil pointing at them with a smile. The devils hold up a large millstone collar with a skull in the middle. With text in which the carriers of the 'great lobes' are laughed at. Above 2 times 2 lines and below 2 times 6 lines in French and Dutch.
Cartoon on the millstone collar, c. 1600. A man and a woman, standing opposite each other, both with broad, pleated collars around the neck. Behind each of them a devil pointing at them with a smile. The devils hold up a large millstone collar with a skull in the middle. With text in which the carriers of the 'great lobes' are laughed at. Above 2 times 2 lines and below 2 times 6 lines in French and Dutch.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
Interesting fact
POSSLQ in a census form means "Person of opposite sex sharing living Quarters"
  1. opposite
    Extremely different; inconsistent; contrary; repugnant; antagonistic. "Novels, by which the reader is misled into another sort of pleasure opposite to that which is designed in an epic poem.", "Particles of speech have divers, and sometimes almost opposite , significations."
  2. Opposite
    One who opposes; an opponent; an antagonist. "The opposites of this day's strife."
  3. opposite
    (Bot) Placed directly in front of another part or organ, as a stamen which stands before a petal.
  4. opposite
    Placed over against; standing or situated over against or in front; facing; -- often with to; as, a house opposite to the Exchange; the concert hall and the state theater stood opposite each other on the plaza.
  5. opposite
    (Bot) Set over against each other, but separated by the whole diameter of the stem, as two leaves at the same node.
  6. opposite
    Situated on the other end of an imaginary line passing through or near the middle of an intervening space or object; -- of one object with respect to another; as, the office is on the opposite side of town;also used both to describe two objects with respect to each other; as, the stores were on opposite ends of the mall.
  7. Opposite
    That which is opposed or contrary in character or meaning; as, sweetness and its opposite; up is the opposite of down. "The virtuous man meets with more opposites and opponents than any other."
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
Interesting fact
The numbers on opposite sides of a die always add up to seven.
  1. opposite
    That forms or is situated in or on the other or further side, end, or boundary of an interval, space, or thing; placed over against or face to face with (another or one another): literally or figuratively: as, the opposite side of the street or square; the opposite door; an opposite angle.
  2. opposite
    Contrary; reverse.
  3. opposite
    Of a totally or radically different nature, quality, or tendency; also (of two persons or things), mutually antagonistic or repugnant; mutually opposed in character or action; contradictory; non-congruent: as, words of opposite meaning; opposite terms.
  4. opposite
    Adverse; opposed; hostile; antagonistic; inimical.
  5. opposite
    In botany: Situated on opposite sides of an axis, as leaves when there are two on one node.
  6. opposite
    Having a position between an organ and the axis on which it is borne, as a stamen when it is opposite a sepal or petal. In both senses opposed to alternate.
  7. (n) opposite
    One who opposes or is adverse; an opponent; an adversary; an enemy; an antagonist.
  8. (n) opposite
    That which opposes; that which is opposed or is opposite; a complement in characteristic qualities or properties; specifically, as a logical term, anything contrasted with another in any sense.
  9. (n) opposite
    [Some modern writers on logic wish to call any two different species of the same genus opposites. This practice has little to recommend it.]
  10. opposite
    In gcom., in any complete set of connectors or fans, said of the first and the (n /2+l)th, when n is even.
  11. (n) opposite
    In geometry, an opposite point.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
Interesting fact
28% of us have skinny-dipped. 14% with the opposite sex.
  1. (adj) Opposite
    op′ō-zit placed over against: standing in front: situated on opposite sides: contrasted with: opposed to: of an entirely different nature
  2. (n) Opposite
    that which is opposed or contrary: an opponent
Quotations
For every action there is an equal and opposite government program.
Bob Wells
Harold Geneen Ceo
You read a book from beginning to end. You run a business the opposite way. You start with the end, and then you do everything you must to reach it.
Harold Geneen Ceo
Fran Lebowitz
The opposite of talking isn't listening. The opposite of talking is waiting.
Fran Lebowitz
For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
Source Unknown
While fools shun one set of faults they run into the opposite one.
Horace
Hate is not the opposite of love; apathy is.
Rollo May
Etymology

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary F., fr. L. oppositus, p. p. of opponere,. See Opponent

Usage in the news

Last week – just as new revelations emerged of Syrian regime massacres of women and children – Moscow ordered the harshest measures against its own political opposition since Vladimir Putin first took power. thenewstribune.com

A new study from Cardiff University in the UK says it actually does just the opposite. kbat.com

Backyard chicken bill survives opposition, clears Metro Council. nashvillecitypaper.com

A couple of teams at opposite ends of the spectrum in the Western Athletic Conference get together in Las Cruces this weekend, as the slumping New Mexico State Aggies take on the 24th-ranked Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. macon.com

Church of Scientology ratcheting up opposition to film 'The Master,' report says. foxnews.com

Czech Opposition Forum To Enter Free Elections. nytimes.com

Czechs Name a New Cabinet But the Opposition Rejects It. nytimes.com

Riot police use tear gas outside opposition mosques. cnn.com

JEFFERSON CITY — Democratic Sen Claire McCaskill attempted to dispel rumors about health care legislation Wednesday night but still faced opposition from a vocal audience. columbiamissourian.com

Voters in the Democratic Republic of Congo lined up at polling stations Monday as the giant country holds its second postwar election despite opposition calls for delay over logistical challenges. cnn.com

In fact, it does exactly the opposite. rockrivertimes.com

But data from Dealogic reveals the opposite to. businessweek.com

John Cleese has joined the cast of Jason Connery's indie romantic comedy "Of Corset 's Mine," opposite Derek Jacobi, Christine Baranski, Camilla Belle and William Mosely. variety.com

Some years it's been just the opposite — too many spring-like days in February meant few daffodils for the festival. dailypress.com

Margaret Warner and Time magazine's Rania Abouzeid discuss the uptick in violence, plus reports of opposition forces capturing Iranian agents inside Syria. pbs.org

Usage in scientific papers

The last two equations say that [(1A ⊗ U )ρ)] and [(D ⊗ 1Aop )ρ−1 ] are inverses in the algebra A ⊗ Aop where Aop denotes the opposite algebra.
Bi-oriented Quantum Algebras, and a Generalized Alexander Polynomial for Virtual Links

Two particles uniformly accelerated in opposite directions.
Radiative spacetimes

The opposite choice exchanges the symmetry of the matrix σ between the two classes.
2d random Dirac fermions: large N approach

An additional analysis with opposite signed second time series allows us to distinguish positive and negative relations.
Nonlinear analysis of bivariate data with cross recurrence plots

There are two diagrams with the structure of Fig. 2(a), in which the scalar particle propagates in opposite directions.
General Covariance in Quantum Gravity

Usage in literature

In this undertaking he met with vigorous opposition. "Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 4" by Various

St. Paul's Church, the foundation-stone of which was laid July, 1882, by the late Duke of Albany, is opposite. "Hammersmith, Fulham and Putney" by Geraldine Edith Mitton

The town pump stood across the ten feet wide sidewalk opposite. "Watch Yourself Go By" by Al. G. Field

Before World War II most black leaders had agreed with the Army's opposition to all-black divisions, but for different reasons. "Integration of the Armed Forces, 1940-1965" by Morris J. MacGregor Jr.

Opposite to the cathedral, and on the other side of the college green, is the Mayor's Chapel, where his honor attends divine service. "Young Americans Abroad" by Various

Except for a few long-range shots, there was no opposition. "Through Three Campaigns" by G. A. Henty

Resume the order, the left hand quitting the piece opposite the right hip. "Infantry Drill Regulations, United States Army, 1911" by United States War Department

Here he found himself in direct opposition to Mr. Clay, whose political existence was staked upon the opposite theory. "Albert Gallatin" by John Austin Stevens

Inexperienced in the passions of men, and unaccustomed to consult even his friends, he was resolved to admit of no opposition. "The Loyalists of America and Their Times, Vol. 1 of 2" by Egerton Ryerson

And so the Apostle has worked round, you see, to almost an opposite thought from the one with which he started. "Expositions of Holy Scripture" by Alexander Maclaren

Usage in poetry
My faith thus stands on divine light,
Believing what it clearly sees,
Yet faith is opposite to sight,
Trusting its ear, and not its eyes.
"The Believer's Riddle; or, the Mystery of Faith" by Ralph Erskine Author object (545)
But oft, when wisely I'd pilot thro'
Where the opposite eddies whelm,
My Arm grows weak, and the ship, untrue,
Refuses to answer the helm.
"The Mariner's Compass" by Ernest Jones Author object (193)
In fears I spend my vital breath,
In doubts I waste my passing years!
Yet still the life I live is faith,
The opposite of doubts and fears.
"The Believer's Riddle; or, the Mystery of Faith" by Ralph Erskine Author object (545)
Yet still, ever after that sorrowful day,
Whenever the Butcher was by,
The Beaver kept looking the opposite way,
And appeared unaccountably shy.
"The Hunting Of The Snark " by Lewis Carroll Author object (439)
Stern JOHNNY their agony loud derides
With a very triumphant sneer -
They weep and they wail from the opposite sides
(And I shed a silent tear).
"Emily, John, James, and I" by William Schwenck Gilbert Author object (717)
Sullen and silent, and like couchant lions,
Their cannon, through the night,
Holding their breath, had watched, in grim defiance,
The sea-coast opposite.
"The Warden Of The Cinque Ports. (Birds Of Passage. Flight The First)" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Author object (294)