oppose 
'TIs your counsel, 
My lord should to the heavens be contrary, 
(jjnxise against their wills. Shale., Vi. T., v. 1. 46. 
opposed (o-pozd' ),/>.. 1. Placed in or occupy- 
ing a position directly opposite or over against ; 
opposite. 
Empanopllcd mid plumed 
\\ i- enter'il in, ;iinl waited, fifty there 
Oppvfd to fifty, till the trumpet blared. 
VV/jm/xrm, Princess, v. 
2. Of an oppositeor contrary nature, tendency, 
or action : as, white is opposed to black. 
Your beauty, ladies, 
Hath much defortn'd us, fashioning our humours 
Even to the opposed end of our Intents. 
Shak., L. L. L., v. 2. 768. 
Opposed as darkness to the light of heaven. K. Fottnlc. 
3. Antagonistic; hostile; adverse: as, I am 
more /)/IAT</ than ever to the proposal. 
In some points they agree, in others they are widely op- 
pastil. J. F. Clarke, Ten Oreat Religions, v. 8. 
Opposed Wow. See Woi3. 
opposeless (o-poz'les), a. [< oppose + -less.] 
Not to be opposed; irresistible. Shak., Lear, 
iv. 6. 38. 
opposer (o-po'zer), n. One who opposes; an 
opponent; an adversary. 
The fair goddess, Fortune, 
Fall deep in love with thee ; and her great charms 
Misguide thy opposeri' swords. Shak., Cor., i. 5. 23. 
A bold opposer of divine belief. Sir R. Blackmore. 
opposit (o-poz'it), v. t. and i. [< L. oppositus, 
pp. of npjionere, set against, oppose: see oppone, 
oppose.} To posit or assume as a contradictory ; 
negative or deny. 
It is not yet plain, and, Indeed, it only becomes plain 
from much later developments of the system, what Is the 
precise nature of the act of oppostting or negating. 
Adamson, Fichte, p. 159. 
opposite (op'o-zit), a. and n. [Formerly also 
opposit; < F. opposite = Sp. oposito, n., = Pg. 
opposto, opposite, a., = It. opposto, opposite, a. 
and n., < L. oppositus, pp. of opjionere, set or 
place against: see oppone.'] I. a. 1. That 
forms or is situated in or on the other or fur- 
ther 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. 
Their planetary motions, and aspects, 
In aextile, square, and trine, and opposite. 
Milton, P. L., x. 659. 
Opposite to the south end of the bridge is an inscription 
in an eastern character, which seemed to be very antlent. 
Pococke, Description of the East, II. I. 92. 
2. Contrary; reverse. 
The plane of polarisation of the north pole of the sky 
moves In the opposite direction to that of the hand of a 
watch. Sir C. Wheatstone, quoted in Spottlswoode's 
I Polarisation, p. 88. 
3. 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 ; con- 
tradictory ; non-congruent : as, words of oppo- 
sitr meaning; opposite terms. 
So began we to be more opposit in opinions : He graue, 
I gamesome. I.i/lii, Euphues and his England, p. 236. 
Particles of speech have divers and sometimes almost 
opposite significations. Locke. 
4. Adverse; opposed; hostile; antagonistic; 
inimical. 
Thou art as opposite to every good 
As the Antipodes are unto us. 
Shak., 3 Hen. VL, L 4. 184. 
What further Commands your Highness gave for the 
security and defence of the English Vessels, notwithstand- 
ing the opposite endeavours of the Dutch. 
Milton, Letters of State, Sept, 1652. 
But say thou wert posacss'd of David's throne, 
By free consent of all, none opposite. 
Milton, P. R., iii 858. 
5. In hot. : (a) Situated on opposite sides of an 
axis, as leaves when there 
are two on one node. (6) 
Having a position between 
an organ and the axis on 
which it is borne, as a sta- 
men when it is opposite a 
sepal or petal. In both 
senses opposed to altrrmttf. 
-Opposite motion, in music, 
contrary motion. Set- m^/im, 14. 
-To be opposite with*, to i>c 
contrary in dealing with ; oppose ; 
be contradictory or perverse in 
manner with. 
Be opposite iritli ;\ kinsman, sur- 
ly with servants. 
Shak., T. N., ii. 5. 162. 
Opposite Leaves of l'inctt 
major. 
4181 
II. . 1. Ono who opposes or is adverse; an 
opponent ; an adversary ; an enemy ; an autag- 
cmi.st. 
Your opposite hath In him what youth, strength, "kill, 
and wrath can furnish man withal. 
Shak., T. N., 111. 4. 255. 
Being thus cleared of all his Opposite*, he prepared itli 
great .Solemnity (or Ilia Coronation. 
Baker, Chronicles, p. ID. 
2. That which opposes; that which is opposed 
or is opposite; a complement in characteristic 
qualities or properties; specifically, as a logi- 
cal term, anything contrasted with another in 
any sense. 
Sweet and sour are opposite* ; aweet and bitter are con- 
traries. Abp. Trench, stud) of Words, vi. 
< '1 ive seema to ua to have been . . . the very opposite of a 
knave, hold, . . . sincere, . . . hearty In friendship, open 
in enmity. Macaiday, Lord (-'live. 
The loathsome opposite 
Of all my heart had destined did obtain. 
Tennyson, Guinevere. 
[Some modern writers on logic wish to call any two differ- 
ent species of the aame genus opposites. This practice 
has little to recommend It.] 
oppositely (op'o-zit-li), a<lr. In an opposite or 
adverse manner; in front; in a situation facing 
each other; adversely; contrarily Oppositely 
pinnate leaf, in hot., a compound leaf the leaflets of 
which are situated one opposite to the other in pairs, as 
in the genus Rota. 
oppositeness (op'o-zit-nes), w. The state of 
being opposite or adverse. 
oppositif olious (o-poz*i-ti-fo'li-us), a, [< L. op- 
positus, opposite, + folium, a leaf.] In hot., 
situated opposite a leaf: as, an oppositifoliovs 
peduncle or tendril. 
opposition (op-o-zish'on), . [< F. opposition 
= Sp. oposicion = Pg. opj>osifSo = It. opposizi- 
one, < L. oppositio(n-), an opposing, < opponere, 
pp. oppositus, oppose : see oppone, oppose. ] 1 . 
Tne position of that which confronts, faces, 
or stands over against something else. 
Before mine eyes in opposition sits 
Grim Death. Milton, P. L., 11. 803. 
2. In astron., the situation of two heavenly 
bodies when diametrically opposed to each 
other as seen from the earth's surface, or when 
their longitudes differ by 180. Thus, there Is an 
opposition of sun and moon at every full moon ; the moon 
or a planet is said to be in opposition when its longitude 
differs 180 from that of the sun. See conjunction. 
3. The action of opposing, withstanding, re- 
sisting, or checking; antagonism; encounter. 
In single opposition, hand to hand. 
Shak., 1 Hen. IV., I. 3. 99. 
Be t In in my strongest guard, for here 111 dwell 
In opposition against fate and hell 1 
Fletcher, Faithful Shepherdess, i. 1. 
Virtue, which breaks through all opposition, 
And all temptation can remove, 
Moat shines, and most Is acceptable above. 
Mill,,,,, S. A., 1. 1050. 
Tin- satisfaction of the bodily man need not be made in 
opposition to higher interests. Mind, Mil. 574. 
4. A placing opposite, as for purposes of com- 
parison, contrast, etc., or the state of being so 
placed, opposed, or contrasted ; contrariety. 
Keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding 
profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science 
falsely so called. 1 Tim. vl. 20. 
There is nothing more delightful in Poetry than a Con- 
trast and Opposition of Incidents. 
Addittn, Spectator, No. 363. 
5. In logic, the disagreement between proposi- 
tions which have the same subject or the same 
predicate, but differ in quantity or quality, or 
in both ; also, the relation between two terms 
which are contrasted in any respect. 6. In 
the fine arte, contrast. 7. A body of oppos- 
ers; specifically, those members of a legisla- 
tive body who are opposed to the administra- 
tion for the time being, or the political party 
opposed to the party in power : frequently used 
adjectively : as, an opposition scheme ; the op- 
position benches in the British House of Com- 
mons. 
Canning's speech the night before last was most bril- 
liant ; much more cheered by the opposition than by his 
own friends. Greville, Memoirs, Dec. 14, 182. 
8. In frticinij. See the quotation. 
In fencing, opposition signifies the art of covering the 
body at the time of delivering a thrust, on that side where 
the foils happen to cross, in order to prevent an antago- 
nist exchanging hits. Kneyc. Brit., IX. 70. 
9. In eJiess, a position where the king of the 
player who has not the move is directly in 
front of that of his opponent with one vacant 
square between Diametrical, formal, material, 
etc., opposition. See the adjectives. Mean opposi- 
tion, a difference of 180 in the mean longitudes of the 
sun ami :\ plam>t. Subaltern opposition, oppo-itiiin 
between a universal and a particular of the same quality. 
oppression 
oppositional (i>p-o-/,i>ii'on-al), . 
iniii + -ni.} Of <v pMtUBing to opposition or 
opponents collectively. 
From this uyfoeitunal stand-point. 
./. lladley. Essays, p. 04. 
oppositionist (op-o-xish'on-ist), a. [< t>/ipn*i- 
lion + -int.] One of the opposition: mn- who 
belongs to the party opposing tin- existing mi- 
ministration or the party in power. 
This fairness from an oppositionist profeoed brought me 
at once to easy terms with him. 
Mine. D'Arblay, Diary, IV. 70. (Davit*.) 
oppositipetaloufl (o-poz'i-ti-pet'a-lus), a. [< 
L. oppositus, opposite, + Gr. wfn&Of, a leaf 
(petal): seo/wfr//.] In bot., placed opposite a 
petal. 
oppositisepalous (o-poz'i-ti-sep'a-lus), a. [< 
L. Ofpofittu, opposite, + NL. xepalwn, a se pul : 
see sepal.] In hot., placed or situated opposite 
a sepal, as the stamens of many plants. Some- 
times called opposite-sepalous. 
oppositive (o-poz'i-tiv), a. [< opposite + -in: 
Ct. positive.]' Opposing; contrasting or setting 
in opposition. 
Here not without some oppositice comparison ; not Mo 
sea, not Ellas, but This; Moses and Ellas were servants ; 
Tills, a son. Bp. Hall, Contemplations, Iv. 14. 
opposivet, [< oppose + -ive.~\ Given to op- 
position; contentious. Hurl. Misc., I. 610. 
opposure t ( o-po ' zur) , . [ < oppose + -a re. ] Op- 
position. 
I cannot hide 
My love to thee, 'tis like the Sunne invelopt 
In watery clouds, whose glory will breake tliorow, 
And spite opposure, scornes to be conceal'd. 
Ueywood, Royal King (Works, ed. Pearson, 1874, VI. 52). 
oppress (o-pres'), v. t. [< ME. oppresscn, < OF. 
(and F.) oppresser = It. oppressare, < ML. op- 
pressare, press against, oppress, freq. of L. op- 
primtreC> It. opprimerc = Pg. opprimir = 8p. 
oprimtr = F. opprimer), pp. opjiressua, press 
against, press together, oppress, < ob, against, 
+ premere, pp. pressus, press: seeprm 1 .] If. 
To press against or upon. 
A scion sette it VI feet from the tree, 
Lest that the tree encrece, and it oppresse. 
PaUadiws, Husbondrie (E. E. T. S-X p. 68. 
2. To press unduly upon or against ; overbur- 
den; weigh down, literally or figuratively: as, 
oppressed with care or anxiety ; oppressed with 
fear. 
Opprfss'd with two weak evils, age and hunger. 
Shak., As you Like it, ii. 7. 132. 
The greatest injury could not have oppressed the heart 
of Le Fevre more than my Uncle Toby'a paternal kind- 
ness. Sternt, Tristram Shandy, vi. 12. 
3. To overpower or overcome; overbear or 
overwhelm; suppress; subdue. 
The faire Enchauntresse, so unwares opprest, 
Tryde all her arts and all her sleighta thence out to wrest. 
Spenser, F. Q., II. xit. 81. 
The mutiny he there haates t' oppress. 
Shak., Pericles, lii., Prol., 1. 29. 
No deep within her gulf can hold 
Immortal vigour, though oppress'd and fallen. 
Milton, P. L., 11. 18. 
4. To make languid ; affect with lassitude : as, 
oppressed with the heat of the weather. 
Langour of this twye dayes fyve 
We shal therwith so forgete or oppresst. 
Chaucer, Troilus, v. 898. 
At length, with love and sleep's soft pow'r opprest, 
The panting thund'rer nods, and sinks to rest. 
Pope, Iliad, xiv. 406. 
5. To sit or lie heavy on: as, excess of food 
oppresses the stomach. 6. To load or burden 
with cruel, unjust, or unreasonable impositions 
or restraints; treat with injustice or undue 
severity; wield authority over in a burden- 
some, harsh, or tyrannical manner ; keep down 
by an unjust exercise of power. 
Thou ahalt neither vex a stranger nor oppress him. 
Ex. xxii. 21. 
The champion of many states oppressed by one too pow- 
erful monarchy. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., vi. 
7f. To ravish, fhnun r.=Syn. 2. To weigh heavily 
upon, bear hard upon. 6. To wrong, treat cruelly, tyran- 
nize over. 
oppressed (o-presf), a. [< oppress + -erfs.] In 
her., debruised. 
oppression (o-presh'on), ii. [< ME. oppression. 
< OF. (and F.) oppression = Sp. opresion = Pg. 
<iyi/ir<.v.v,/,( = It. ojiprensione, < L. o^pression-), 
a pressing down, violence, oppression, < 
nn-ri: pp. opprfxmis, press down: see 
If. A pressing down: pressure; burden. 
Go, bind tin in up yond dangling apricocks. 
Which, like unruly children, make their sire 
Stoop with oppression of their prodigal weight. 
Shale., Rich. II., iii. 4. 31. 
