- Opposition
- Opposition Op`po*si"tion, n. [F., fr. L. oppositio. See
{Opposite}.]
1. The act of opposing; an attempt to check, restrain, or
defeat; resistance.
[1913 Webster]
The counterpoise of so great an opposition. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Virtue which breaks through all opposition. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
2. The state of being placed over against; situation so as to front something else. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
3. Repugnance; contrariety of sentiment, interest, or purpose; antipathy. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
4. That which opposes; an obstacle; specifically, the aggregate of persons or things opposing; hence, in politics and parliamentary practice, the party opposed to the party in power. [1913 Webster]
5. (Astron.) The situation of a heavenly body with respect to another when in the part of the heavens directly opposite to it; especially, the position of a planet or satellite when its longitude differs from that of the sun 180[deg]; -- signified by the symbol ?; as, ? [Jupiter] [Sun], opposition of Jupiter to the sun. [1913 Webster]
6. (Logic) The relation between two propositions when, having the same subject and predicate, they differ in quantity, or in quality, or in both; or between two propositions which have the same matter but a different form. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.